Oscar Pistorius Returns to Court for Pre-sentence Hearing

The embattled Paralympic hero Oscar Pistorius has returned to court today Monday, at the start of his sentencing hearing after he was convicted of culpable homicide in the killing of his girlfriend, with his lawyers set to argue for leniency. The double-amputee track star last month escaped a murder conviction in a verdict that shocked the country and fuelled criticism of South Africa’s legal system.  

Kicking off what is expected to be a lengthy sentencing process, the defence team will bring mitigation arguments before Judge Thokozile Masipa in the High Court in Pretoria. Prosecutors will follow by arguing for aggravating circumstances. The process is expected to last up to four days, with Masipa then likely adjourning court and announcing her sentencing decision at a later date.

The “Blade Runner” could face as much as 15 years in one of South Africa’s notoriously brutal prisons or could dodge a jail term altogether with a non-custodial sentence after being foundd guilty on the equivalent of a manslaughter charge, but not guilty of premeditated murder. The court will begin by hearing defence witnesses testify on why Pistorius should not serve time behind bars. They are likely to argue that the country’s prisons are not suited for his disability and that the 2012 London Paralympics silver medallist is a first time offender.

Lawyer David Dadic said the defence will “heavily expand on their trial argument regarding Oscar’s remorsefulness” in killing his girlfriend of Reeva Steenkamp.

"The biggest factor, however, which the defence will raise is, of course, the fact that Oscar is a first time offender," he added.