South African runner Oscar Pistorius has been sentenced to six years in prison for the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in 2013.
Pistorius appeared somber but composed as the judge read out his sentence in front of the court. The sentence was less than the 15-year minimum. (SLIDESHOW: These Athletes Were Big Stars And Even Bigger Criminals)
WATCH:
The moment #OscarPistorius hears his 6-year murder sentence – and the court’s reactionhttps://t.co/o5GqkpHpe7 https://t.co/KQ68JaQAi0
— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) July 6, 2016
Judge Thokozile Masipa claimed “substantial and compelling circumstances” were the reasons she chose not to impose a much longer sentence, according to Fox Sports. (RELATED: Blogger: Oscar Pistorius took acting lessons before his murder trial to be more sympathetic)
The runner who rose to fame as the “Bladerunner” was originally convicted of murder and found not guilty of murder for the death of Steenkamp, but the decision was overturned during the appeal trial.
According to Fox Sports, he will be eligible for parole after serving three years.