Other High Profile Cases and Persons of Interest => Oscar Pistorius and the killing of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. => Topic started by: Anna on August 18, 2015, 03:43:33 PM
Title: Prosecutors launch appeal to upgrade verdict to murder
Post by: Anna on August 18, 2015, 03:43:33 PM
Monday 17 August 2015
Prosecutors have launched an appeal against the verdict in the case of a killing committed by South African athlete Oscar Pistorius.
Mr Pistorius was convicted of culpable homicide for killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in February 2013.
A trial for the incident he admitted firing four shots into a locked toilet cubicle door and said he believed he was shooting at an intruder in his home.
But state prosecutors want the verdict – which is equivalent to manslaughter – upgraded to murder.
They say the paralympian knew there was someone hiding behind the door when he pulled the trigger, and that this amounts to the level of intent required for murder.
Oscar Pistorius is led out of court in Pretoria. Pistorius received a five-year prison sentence for culpable homicide by judge Thokozile Masipais for the killing of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp Oscar Pistorius is led out of court in Pretoria. Pistorius received a five-year prison sentence for culpable homicide by judge Thokozile Masipais for the killing of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp 29-year-old Ms Steenkamp was a South African model and the partner of Mr Pistorius at the time of her death.
Mr Pistorius is due to be released on Friday after serving 10 months of a five-year sentence, a stint in line with South African guidelines for criminals who are not considered dangerous.
Ms Steenkamp's family have previously argued that 10 months in prison is “not enough” to do justice.
"As her family, we do not seek to avenge her death and we do not want Mr Pistorius to suffer; that will not bring her back to us,” they said in a statement released in June of this year.
A picture taken on January 26, 2013 shows Olympian sprinter Oscar Pistorius posing next to his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp - 3 weeks later Pistorius was taken into police custody. A picture taken on January 26, 2013 shows Olympian sprinter Oscar Pistorius posing next to his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp - 3 weeks later Pistorius was taken into police custody. "However, a person found guilty of a crime must be held accountable for their actions. Incarceration of 10 months for taking a life is simply not enough.”
During sentencing, Judge Thokozile Masipa said prosecutors had failed prove Pistorius's intent to kill when he fired.
“We filed the appeal today,” South African National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesman Luvuyo Mfaku said.
Mr Pistorius, a double-leg amputee, won gold medals in the men’s 400 metres and 4 x 400 metre relay at the 2012 Summer Paralympics.
He was also the first person with such a condition to compete in the Olympics that summer.
The Supreme Court is expected to hear the case in November, according to the NPA. Mr Pistorius’s legal team has a month to file a formal response to the appeal.
he shot to kill his gf there is no evidence he didnt
He was found guilty of Manslaughter or diminished responsibility, Mercury. I believe he pleaded not guilty to murder, on the grounds that he thought there was a break in and the man was in there. We will have to wait and see what happens at the appeal, which I believe is set for November. I feel so sorry for her family, who must be devastated to know that he is being released on Friday.
Title: Re: Prosecutors launch appeal to upgrade verdict to murder
Post by: Anna on August 19, 2015, 12:39:41 AM
God, I hope not. It would be beyond a travesty if that boingy-legged lunatic picks his life up as if nothing happened, when that lovely, defenceless girl with her golden life before her died in such a brutal way.
Title: Re: Prosecutors launch appeal to upgrade verdict to murder
Post by: Passer-by on August 19, 2015, 06:23:47 PM
News in is that he won't be freed this week. That would certainly be an outrage. Although I think in France this would have been treated as a Crime of Passion - ie more leniently than premeditated murder - he lived in one of the most secure private estates in South Africa (I'd have thought there was a panick button to the guardhouse at the gate?) so the likelihood of him not knowing who he was firing at is pretty slim.
Title: Re: Prosecutors launch appeal to upgrade verdict to murder
Post by: mercury on August 19, 2015, 09:52:44 PM
He was found guilty of Manslaughter or diminished responsibility, Mercury. I believe he pleaded not guilty to murder, on the grounds that he thought there was a break in and the man was in there. We will have to wait and see what happens at the appeal, which I believe is set for November. I feel so sorry for her family, who must be devastated to know that he is being released on Friday.
His whole story about burglars had more holes in it than THE big black holes in the universe and his witnesses were only "just" not laughed out of court. The prosecuting lawyer was also miles more believable than the joke of the defence lawyer, but as we know, from many many cases, the most pathetic of lawyers can get away with the most pathetic of things. I feel a little sorry for the judge, caught between a hard and a rock place herself though she did give him FIVE years for his "culpable homicide".
Reeva's parents will suffer another body blow if he is released and carries on camping!
Title: Re: Prosecutors launch appeal to upgrade verdict to murder
Post by: Anna on August 19, 2015, 10:01:02 PM
latest news
Title: Re: Prosecutors launch appeal to upgrade verdict to murder
Post by: mercury on August 19, 2015, 10:48:57 PM
Nice! Reevas family spending the day throwing flowers into the sea on her birthday and Oscar Pissedoffwithus looking forward to "community service" for four long years for blowing her brains out with his talon bullets Or whoever he thought it might be who wasn't threatening him whilst he had his gun aimed at the door but was "making a noise in the loo" that sounded like a magazine rack being shifted or something as terrible as that
Title: Re: Prosecutors launch appeal to upgrade verdict to murder
Post by: Anna on August 20, 2015, 02:55:55 PM
Title: Re: Prosecutors launch appeal to upgrade verdict to murder
Post by: Passer-by on August 23, 2015, 01:50:02 PM
Apparently he may fight the decision to reverse releasing him. In South Africa it turns out you only have to be a good boy in prison and you get mandatory release after one sixth of your sentence.
I find it obscene he would fight it: a real man would be appalled at having killed her - especially if it had been by mistake - and be full of guilt and remorse and be beating themselves up over it, begging the family's forgiveness not opposing their wishes.
Interesting that her bags were packed to leave: it shows everything he said was a lie if its true.
Title: Re: Prosecutors launch appeal to upgrade verdict to murder
Post by: Anna on October 20, 2015, 01:33:57 PM
Oscar Pistorius released from prison under house arrest 3 hours ago From the section Africa
South African Olympic and Paralympic athlete Oscar Pistorius has been released under house arrest nearly one year after he was jailed for killing his girlfriend. He is expected to spend the remainder of a five-year prison sentence at his uncle's upmarket home in Pretoria. He shot Reeva Steenkamp through a locked bathroom door in 2013 but said he thought she was an intruder. Ms Steenkamp's relatives say they think Pistorius is "getting off lightly". Pistorius, 28, was found guilty of culpable homicide, or manslaughter, of his 29-year-old girlfriend at a trial in October last year. A case lodged by the prosecution appealing against that decision is due to be heard by the Supreme Court of Appeal on 3 November. State prosecutors say Pistorius should have instead been convicted of murder.
Pistorius house arrest: The dos and don'ts Image copyright AP Image caption Oscar Pistorius will be staying at his uncle's house No access to firearms No taking of drugs or alcohol, and can be randomly tested by officials Continue with psychotherapy sessions No going out at night Can work; will not be electronically tagged His lawyers say track and field training is part of work, but this is still unclear The making and unmaking of Oscar Pistorius Evidence at Pistorius trial My friend Reeva Steenkamp
The athlete was released on Monday evening, a day earlier than expected, according to a spokesman from the Kgosi Mampuru II prison, where Pistorius was being held. The double amputee athlete's family said they had not expected the early release, and he would "strictly" adhere to his parole conditions. Jump media player Media player help Out of media player. Press enter to return or tab to continue.Media captionKim Martin, Reeva Steenkamp's cousin: "It's not a fair sentence" The decision was taken in the "interest of all parties concerned, the victims, the offender and the Department of Correctional Services", Manelisi Wolela said in a statement. Pistorius was driven under cover of darkness to his uncle's house 20 minutes away, a premature departure designed presumably to avoid the media glare, says the BBC's Karen Allen in Pretoria. It is understood he will not be electronically tagged but he will have restrictions on his movement, she adds. 'Poor physical shape' South Africa's justice minister blocked an earlier attempt to get the Olympic athlete's release in August in a surprise move. Jump media player Media player help Out of media player. Press enter to return or tab to continue.Media captionThe Oscar Pistorius case in numbers Speaking earlier to the BBC, Reeva Steenkamp's cousin Kim Martin said the family might consider visiting Pistorius when the time is "right". But she also said she felt he was "getting off lightly". Her parents have previously said that the time served by Pistorius was "not enough for taking a life". Under South African law, the double amputee was eligible for release under "correctional supervision" having served a sixth of his sentence. Image copyright EPA Image caption Pistorius shot and killed Reeva Steenkamp, 29, through a locked bathroom door Image copyright Reuters Image caption The prosecution is appealing the manslaughter verdict and the case will be heard next month Meanwhile, a close family friend of the athlete said he was in poor physical shape, adding that his return to athletics would be unlikely. Pistorius competed in the 400 metres at the London 2012 Olympics, wearing carbon-fibre blades to run against able-bodied athletes. If the prosecution is successful with its appeal next month, Pistorius could face a lengthy sentence back in prison. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-34577735
Title: Re: Prosecutors launch appeal to upgrade verdict to murder
Post by: mercury on October 20, 2015, 08:21:08 PM
He got off lightly whether it was tryng to kill a perceived stranger or knowingly his girlfriend ,what a surprise, less than a year for murder....