As news broke that South African Paralympian Oscar Pistorius on Tuesday had been sentenced to five years in prison for killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, social networks exploded with commentary and reactions.
[seealso slug="pistiorius-sentence"]
Pistorius was acquitted of murder but convicted of culpable homicide which meant, at most, he was facing 15 years in prison. Judge Thokozile Masipa said the sentence was about "achieving the right balance."
On Twitter, however, many did not seem to think balance had been achieved.
"Men such as Pistorius have had their lives ruined" Not quite as ruined as Reeva though http://t.co/iYW98dMTpW
— Ebola Holborn (@Holbornlolz) October 21, 2014
Pistorius.... Just ridiculous, good behaviour should be expected not rewarded, house arrest is not prison... Not even close #nojustice
— Dougie Carter (@Dougie_Carter) October 21, 2014
Pistorius' ridiculous sentence says a lot about how the court puts racial and male privilege above the safety of women.
— Garikai Chengu (@ChenguGold) October 21, 2014
'Men such as Pistorius have had their lives ruined' no Simon Jenkins, he did so himself by killing an innocent woman! http://t.co/AGG1V3JpQH
— Eleonora Belfiore (@elebelfiore) October 21, 2014
A human life of Reeva's quality is worth more than 5 years by far. Very disappointed. #OscarPistorius #PistoriusTrial
— James Daniel Malin (@JDMalin) October 21, 2014
#Pistorius' five-year jail sentence, ten months of which will be served in prison, belittles domestic violence against women.
— Jonny Gould (@jonnygould) October 21, 2014
Judge: I sentence u to 20 years for culpable homicide Pistorius: 2 years? Judge: Hmmm 10? Pistorius: 5 years final offer... Judge: Deal.
— éthàn (@Ethasdfghjkl) October 21, 2014
Pistorius lucky of not been found guilty of illegal downloading in America, man that would have been some serious prison
— Tancredi Palmeri (@tancredipalmeri) October 21, 2014
The secret behind just a five-year sentencing of Oscar Pistorius for killing his girlfriend. pic.twitter.com/PGj2NhYCjS
— Faisal. (@OneAndOnlyCFC) October 21, 2014
Pistorius 10 months in prison, remainder under house arrest. Pathetic slap on the wrist for taking a woman's life.
— Andy Byrne (@andycool4cats) October 21, 2014
Disgusting sentence for Pistorius, such a shame that the victim and her family aren't getting the justice they deserve.
— Booth☾ (@ElIi3_) October 21, 2014
While reaction to the verdict seemed mostly negative, there were some tweets in support for Pistorius and for Judge Masipa's handling of the trial.
This makes me so sad. Poor man. Be well. Be fruitful. Be safe. #pistorius pic.twitter.com/hG0fJPkZwJ
— Allison Pennell (@brooklynbreeder) October 21, 2014
Pistorius five-year sentence reflects Judge Masipa's judicial objectivity wisdom & humanity shown throughout trial. https://t.co/rgLn9rG9Lm
— Melanie Phillips (@MelanieLatest) October 21, 2014