Oscar Pistorius convicted of murdering his girlfriend

[Gazz]

You do that and you're just cutting the power of the courts off at the legs...

[Lineker]

They're now discussing bail.

[therockbox]

Were they impressed with his performance against Andorra?

[Lineker]

This just landed on the news wires...

Dan Roan on-camera interview I've just done with Craig Spence, spokesman for the International Paralympic Cttee (IPC), he says of Pistorius:

"If he's served any punishment given to him before Rio the ball is in his court...if he wants to compete in Rio we wouldn't stand in his way."

Q: is there a danger that could overshadow the event, is that a concern to you?

"It's at the back of our minds at the moment, but if he wants to compete in Rio and is allowed to then by all means...we've got enough athletes now as shown in London that can really excite the world..."

Also talks about his "Immeasurable" contribution to the Paralympic movement, and that he "inspired millions."

[lanky316]

That statement doesn't surprise me, I would expect him to be welcomed back with open arms as he'd be even more likely to draw a gate now. The worst that happens is a lot of people boo him and they'll take that for the cash he'd bring in. The story has long been portrayed as a tragic accident and the verdict backs that up (agree or otherwise) so going to be very hard to persecute him. Judging by the reaction from a lot of people I'd still anticipate an outpouring of love and a heroes welcome.

Even when it was between the original bail hearing and his court case he was free to travel and compete. His reasons for not doing so were down to his mental anguish so in the event of him not being given a full custodial sentence I could fully see him turning up. At least when he goes psychopathic and issuing threats for losing a race people won't call it uncharacteristic in future.

[stokeriño]

Should I remove the question mark from the thread title?

[Lineker]

That seems to be the in thing to do at the moment

[Baddar]

Yes. It's been bugging me!

[Lineker]

Bail extension granted. Sentencing is October 13th.

[peteypirahna]

Is sentencing today too?

Nah, they'll go off for six-eight weeks or so for mitigation, I suppose, considering the circumstances. I even heard it mooted on the radio yesterday that he could serve his sentence under house arrest.

What could possibly go wrong?

[Baddar]

5 yrs in prison for Pistorius.

[Starvinho]

Bless the poor lad, he never had a leg to stand on.

[The Lusophone]

Boooooooooooooooooooo.

[Lineker]

He'll be out serving the bulk of his sentence under house arrest in no time.

[Noah]

Oscar Pistorius to be released on parole in August; prosecution appeal for murder charge to be heard in November

South African athlete Oscar Pistorius is set to be released from prison on parole in August after serving 10 months for culpable homicide in the killing of his model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, a family member has said.

The 28-year-old double amputee sprinter was found guilty last year of culpable homicide — a charge akin to manslaughter — and sentenced to five years in prison for shooting Steenkamp on Valentine's Day in 2013. "Oscar will be released on parole by the end of August," a Pistorius family member who did not want to be named said.

The news was confirmed by correctional services. "He has been recommended for correctional supervision on August 21," Zach Modise, commissioner of the correctional services, said. "Normally, this will mean house arrest with one hour of free time each day. As he progresses, we will relax these conditions."

A statement from the Steenkamp family expressed dismay at Pistorius' release.

"Incarceration of 10 months for taking a life is simply not enough," her parents June and Barry Steenkamp said in a statement released online.

"We fear that this will not send out the proper message and serve as the deterrent it should." The statement added that the family had "forgiven" Pistorius and did "not seek to avenge" their daughter's death.

An appeal by South African prosecutors to try to increase the severity of Pistorius's conviction will be heard in November, the Supreme Court said. State prosecutors were granted permission to appeal against the verdict, arguing Judge Thokozile Masipa misinterpreted the law when she ruled Pistorius did not intentionally kill Steenkamp when he shot four times through a locked toilet door. "A specific date has not been set yet, but we can confirm that the appeal will happen in November this year," a Supreme Court official, who declined to be named, said.

Pistorius's legal team unsuccessfully tried to halt the appeal, saying the conviction was based on facts presented during the trial and therefore could not be challenged. The state argued he deliberately killed the 29-year-old law graduate and reality television star after an argument and will seek to upgrade his charge to murder. If an appeals court finds him guilty of murder, the athlete — known as the Blade Runner for the prosthetic legs he wears on the track — could face at least 15 years in jail.

Pistorius, the first double-amputee athlete to compete at the Olympic Games in London in 2012, was jailed after a sensational months-long trial that made world headlines.

Reuters/AFP

[Lineker]

The Friday release has been postponed. 

[DFF]

Waterlogged pitch? 

[Lineker]

Oscar Pistorius is to be freed from prison to house arrest next Tuesday, a South African parole board says.

[The Lusophone]

Oscar Pistorius has had his conviction overturned and instead been found guilty of murder. He faces a minimum sentence of 15 years when the South African High Court reopens in the new year.

[Lineker]

He's been sentenced to six years in jail, rather than the suggested minimum of 15.