Oscar Pistorius Guilty Verdict: Twitter Reacts To Athlete's Conviction For Culpable Homicide
After a lengthy trial, South African athlete Oscar Pistorius was found guilty of culpable homicide Friday, over the 2013 shooting of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, and of negligently discharging a firearm in a restaurant. He was acquitted of other charges, including pre-meditated murder, against him.
Although the judge has handed down her verdict, Pistorius still has to be sentenced, which is unlikely to happen today. Lawyers for both sides will be permitted to call witnesses to support their arguments. There is no minimum punishment for culpable homicide in South Africa, raising concerns on social media that Pistorius could receive a relatively light sentence.
In the aftermath of the verdict, reporters tweeted updates on what was happening in the court, and what was likely to happen next.
Immediate reactions to the sentence ranged from support to disbelief
Culpable homicide carries a maximum sentence of 15 years imprisonment in South Africa, but no minimum punishment. The prospect, albeit unlikely, that Pistorius could escape with a fine, riled some Twitter users.
And some peculiarities during discussion of bail raised eyebrows.
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