Oscar Pistorius trial

[TightEnd]

South African Olympian Oscar Pistorius has been granted bail while he awaits sentence for murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in 2013.

Judges changed his manslaughter conviction to murder last week. He now faces a minimum 15-year jail sentence for the murder of Ms Steenkamp.

The sentencing hearing is due to be held on 18 April next year.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-35034292

[RickBFA]

South African Olympian Oscar Pistorius has been granted bail while he awaits sentence for murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in 2013.

Judges changed his manslaughter conviction to murder last week. He now faces a minimum 15-year jail sentence for the murder of Ms Steenkamp.

The sentencing hearing is due to be held on 18 April next year.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-35034292

I wonder how many people have got bail whilst awaiting sentence for murder.

Amazing really.

[tikay]

^^^^

Hard to understand, really. He is, officially & legally, guilty of murder, & yet he gets another 5 months liberty.

Just feels wrong.

I'd assumed he would have been snap taken to prison once the verdict was changed. 

Maybe it's subject to appeal?

What discount on his prison term can he reasonably expect for behaving himself in prison?

[tikay]

...and in surprise news, Oscar Pistorius has had his prison sentence more than doubled to over 13 years.

I think most people will agree that seems reasonable. With 1 exception.

[StuartHopkin]

I saw this earlier, who was appealing?

Was he appealing to get the sentence reduced and ended up doubling it, or was it the prosecutor/family trying to get it increased?

Pretty big face palm moment if it was the first one!

[tikay]

I saw this earlier, who was appealing?

Was he appealing to get the sentence reduced and ended up doubling it, or was it the prosecutor/family trying to get it increased?

Pretty big face palm moment if it was the first one!

If I understand it correctly, the Prosecutor's Office appealed, as they felt the sentence was too light & may set a precedent for future sentences.

The revised sentence is the maximum allowable under law (15 years) minus time already served.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-42107701