Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
#1
Judge's summing-up and verdict now being broadcast live on BBC News channel (Freeview 130). It doesn't look good for Oscar, based on the judge's interpretation of the evidence.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#2
What i don't understand is how the judge could say about a month ago the date that she would reach a decision when as we know a jury could take half an hour or a month. All very drawn out if Pistorius is found guilty on one or more counts then there will be another date for sentencing. After that he can appeal against conviction and/or sentencing and remain out on bail.
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
#3
Er, South African criminal courts don't have juries, Howard. They were abolished in 1969 by the Vorster government and never reinstated.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#4
I think you have misread my post Peter, we all know that their courts just have a judge and two advisers so how can the judge know the date that she will reach a decision?
She has sat through the whole proceedings and has had various recesses where she would have gone over all the evidence and discussed it with her advisers and after the prosecution and defence summing up should have needed little time to decide.
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
#5
There's a political dimension to the case too, Howard. That's what might have delayed matters.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#6
I think that the judge is basking in the glow of world media attention, she adjourned for lunch stating that she would be giving the rest of her decisions afterwards then called an end for the day's proceedings.
Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,931
#7
Maybe she wants Oscar to keep wondering as part of her sentence but the waiting must be hell for Reeva's family.
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howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#8
Many legal experts are saying he might get off with a suspended sentence which seems a travesty of justice to me.
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/13/oscar-pistorius-reeva-steenkamp-bookJan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,931
#9
I would not be surprised, although as you say it would be a travesty if he did not serve a fairly long time in jail for murdering Reeva.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
#10
The judge has decided that it wasn't murder, Jan.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,931
#11
I accept her death might not have been premeditated murder but to me in this case there is not much difference between murder and manslaughter, it was certainly no accidental shooting as he fired four shots.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#12
Only Pistorius knows whether he meant to kill her but he should certainly serve a long sentence, obsessed with guns and having a jealous and possessive nature suggests he lost his rag and shot her.
He lived in an alarmed, gated community with an armed guard outside, i cannot see a burglar attempting to gain entry and he would have known that.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#13
Terry Nunn
- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,321
#14
But be out in 10 months!
Terry
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#15
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,931
#16
I just hope Pistorius now gets the sentence he deserves.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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