Shock and outrage, two of the more prevailing emotions flooding social media in the wake of Oscar Pistorius being sentenced to six years imprisonment.

You can watch his face as the sentence was handed down HERE, as well as see him bidding farewell to his family.

But what does that six-year sentence really mean, because after watching this case for the best part of two years we know that nothing is at it seems.

Top defence lawyer William Booth spoke to News24 and answered many pressing questions, but we’ll start with his general reaction:

“In my view, the sentence is fairly lenient when one looks at the seriousness of the crime.

“If you look at his conduct, firing four shots at close range, knowing someone was inside [the bathroom].

“Having said that, I always believed he would not get the minimum custodial sentence of 15 years, as there were many mitigating factors and the judge took that into account.

“So he has probably received a sentence on the lighter side. I would have expected eight or nine years.”

Our legal know-it-alls were suggesting 10, but it looks like everyone has been taken by surprise.

Let’s look at two of the main points of interest following the sentencing then:

Parole

Booth said that the sentence is effectively “seven years”, if you take into account that Masipa considered the year Pistorius has already served, but that he would more than likely serve less than the six years handed down.

“He will have to comply with all the parole requirements, and all that is determined administratively by the Department of Correctional Services. It’s a separate issue.

“So we could be looking at three years, or even less, before his remaining sentence could be converted to correctional supervision.”

Booth said that if a person’s parole release date was less than five years into the future, the department could request that they be taken to court for the sentence to be turned into correctional supervision.

“The period that he may effectively serve is quite a bit less than six years, as long as he complies with all the regulations.

“This is not a given, these are just the legal possibilities, they are not definite.”

Appeal

Booth also said he expected an appeal from the State.

Pistorius’s legal team has already said they will not appeal the sentence.

“It is a difficult thing to resentence someone,” Booth added.

“No sentence is really going to satisfy the accused or the members of society.”

I’m sure Gerrie Nel is currently chomping at the bit, so I guess we can expect the State to come back all guns blazing.

Sorry everyone, this one isn’t over yet – just when you think you’re out, they pull you back in again.

[source:news24]