Advertisement

Steenkamps hail Pistorius’ extended jail term

Friday November 24 2017
steens

Slain Reeva Steenkamp's parents June and Barry Steenkamp leave the High Court in Pretoria, on July 6, 2016 after Paralympian athlete Oscar Pistorius was sentenced to six years in jail for murdering his girlfriend Reeva three years ago. PHOTO | AFP

By PETER DUBE

The family of slain model Reeva Steenkamp says justice has been served after the South African Supreme Court of Appeal more than doubled Oscar Pistorius’ jail term.

Pistorius was handed 13 years and five months prison sentence on Friday for the murder of his girlfriend four years ago.

He had initially been sentenced to five years in jail for manslaughter but was given a six-year term after he was found guilty of murder on appeal last year.

READ: Paralympian Oscar Pistorius jail term increased to 13 years

“This is an emotional thing for them. They feel that their trust in the justice system has been confirmed this morning,” Steenkamps’ family lawyer Tania Koen told Reuters.

Pistorius was arrested on Valentine’s Day in 2013 after shooting dead his model girlfriend.

Advertisement

He admitted to firing four shots through a bathroom door, but claimed that he believed there was an intruder inside.

Related stories

Advertisement