South African Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius was sentenced to five years in prison on Oct. 21 for the killing of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, in 2013. Pistorius was cleared for murder, but charged with culpable homicide last month.
The five year sentence, given by Judge Thokozile Masipa, is less than half the time he could have received following his manslaughter conviction. Masipa believed a long sentence would show a lack of mercy towards Pistorius, claiming her decision was “about achieving the right balance – proportionality.”
The prosecution sought a 10-year jail term, while the defense asked for Pistorius to be placed under house arrest for three years along with an ordered performance of community service.
There is a possibility that Pistorius could be released after 10 months to serve the remainder of the sentence under house arrest. After serving half the sentence, he can apply for parole.
Judge Masipa gave Pistorius a suspended three-year term on separate firearms charges as well.
The family members of both Pistorius and the victim have accepted the sentence. Steenkamp’s relatives said they were satisfied; the mother, June Steenkamp, telling reporters outside the courtroom, “I’m just glad it’s over.”
Pistorius’s family said they do not plan to appeal. Arnold Pistorius, the Olympian’s uncle, said in a statement, “we accept the judgment… give us some degree of dignity and privacy as we do so.”