21st October, 2014
The family of slain model Reeva Steenkamp on Tuesday welcomed the sentencing of her killer Oscar Pistorius to up to five years in jail.
Steenkamp’s ailing father Barry said he was “very glad” the seven-month trial was over. A lawyer for the family said the sentence was “welcome”.
The Steenkamps’ lawyer, Dup de Bruyn, told AFP that the sentence judge Thokozile Masipa handed down would likely be served as two years in prison and three years under house arrest.
“In effect he gets three years’ correctional supervision and two years’ direct imprisonment,” said De Bruyn, after the sentencing hearing ended.
De Bruyn said that Steenkamp’s parents were satisfied with the decision.
“They feel it’s right,” he said.
Visibly relieved, Steenkamp’s mother June turned to a family friend, Gina Myers, to thank her for her steadfast support throughout the trial before leaving the courtroom.