MOSCOW, October 21 (RIA Novosti) – South African Paralympic sprint runner Oscar Pistorius has been sentenced to five years in prison for culpable homicide in the death of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.
Paralympian Pistorius, who won two gold medals at the 2012 Summer Olympics, fatally shot Steenkamp in February 2013.
February 14, 2013 – In the early hours of the morning Reeva Steenkamp is found dead from three gunshot wounds at Oscar Pistorius’ home after police are called to the Olympian’s residence in Pretoria, South Africa. Pistorius is arrested for questioning and the police say “there is no other suspect involved.”
February 15, 2013 – The runner appears in court charged with murder. State prosecutor Gerrie Nel says he will pursue a charge of premeditated murder, which in South Africa is punishable by a life sentence with a minimum of 25 years.
February 20, 2013 – The athlete is in tears throughout a bail hearing as he and his attorney Barry Roux claim he thought he was shooting at an intruder, and not Steenkamp. In an affidavit read to the court, he says "I am absolutely mortified at the death of my beloved Reeva”. The model’s funeral is also held on the same day in her home town of Port Elizabeth.
February 21, 2013 – Sportswear company Nike follows cosmetics firm Clarins in dropping the Olympian from its advertising campaign.
February 22, 2013 – Pistorius is granted R1 million ($90,000) bail under conditions that he surrender his passport and any weapons in his possession. Detective Hilton Botha, who had been leading the investigation, is taken off the case due to revelations he was facing changes of attempted murder related to an incident in 2009. The case instead is given to Lieutenant General Vineshkumar Moonoo, described within the force as the country’s “top detective”.
March 3, 2013 – Henke Pistorius, Oscar’s father, blames the South African government for the popularity of guns on the country, “It speaks to the ANC government, look at white crime levels, why protection is so poor in this country, it's an aspect of our society.”
March 11, 2013 – Friends express worry about Pistorius’ mental health, with one calling him a “broken man”. Concerns about his mental state continue to be aired over the course of the trial.
March 28, 2013 – Pistorius’ bail conditions are loosened to allow him to travel abroad and take part in competitions, but his uncle Arnold Pistorius says “Oscar is not back on any official training programme. This may change in future, but at this point Oscar is still in an extremely traumatized state and has made it clear to all of us that he is not able or willing to even contemplate this issue at this stage.”
August 19, 2013 – On what would have been Steenkamp’s 30 birthday, Pistorius is officially changed with her murder, and a trial date is set.
February 14, 2014 – One the anniversary of her death, Pistorius releases a statement on his website saying "The loss of Reeva and the complete trauma of that day, I will carry with me for the rest of my life.”
February 19, 2014 – The media requests permission from the High Court to broadcast the murder trial live, which is later granted.
March 3, 2014 – Murder trial begins in the High Court in Pretoria. The case is heard by Judge Thokozile Masipa, who appointed two assessors to help her reach a verdict. Neighbor Michelle Burger takes the stand and testifies to hearing screams and gunshots on the night in question. Defence lawyer Roux argues that it would have been impossible for her to hear these noises from such a distance.
April 2014 – Pistorius is cross-examined for five days in the witness stand, during which he tearfully denies having had the intention to kill his girlfriend.
August 7, 2014 – Summing up, prosecutors accused the Olympian of being an “appalling witness” who created an incredible “snowball of lies”. Gerrie Nel said the fact of Pistorius taking his gun from under the bed and shooting at the door amounted to “pre-planning”. The defence however portray the runner as anxious and insecure due to his disability, ready to snap after “the effect of the slow burn of insecurities over many years,” according to defence lawyer Roux. “You're an athlete. You're trained to react to a sound, and he stands there now with his finger ready to fire,” as he sought to recreate the Olympian’s account of a shooting on impulse.
September 12, 2014 – Judge Masipa delivers her final verdict, that the runner is not guilty of murder, but guilty of culpable homicide. In her statement, spanning 73 pages, she says that “the conduct of the accused shortly after the incident, was inconsistent with the conduct of someone who had intention to commit murder.”
October 13, 2014 – Sentencing hearing begins. Steenkamp’s cousin Kim Martin makes an emotional testimony, saying “This has ruined our whole family. It has ruined Uncle Barry and Aunty June. Reeva was everything to them. They adored her.”
October 21, 2014 – Oscar Pistorius has been sentenced to five years in prison for culpable homicide of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.
