Oscar pistorious being released on parole

Germanshepherdsmum

All the evidence was before the court and he was convicted of murder. In this country a charge has to be proved beyond reasonable doubt. We have only his story about the intruder. Whether he believed there was an intruder or not, his actions were deliberate and he would have known they would have caused the death of, or grievous bodily harm to, the person in the loo. That was his intention when firing the gun. I don’t know what further proof anyone who wasn’t in the courtroom would want.

Yes he killed her, there is no doubt of that, it's the intention that is in doubt, whether he wanted to kill her or whether it was a dreadful mistake. There is no actual proof either way, and the two scenarios are very different. He would have been terrified of an intruder and firing the gun would be an adrenaline-fuelled reflex action, not necessarily a deliberate intention to kill.

Their relationship seems to have been very loving. She gave him a Valentine Card that very day saying she loved him, the day she was killed. He was apparently so devastated by her death that he was really ill and suffered from PTSD.

Just a reminder that there was no jury. Would the outcome be different if the evidence was presented to a jury, we'll never know.

I suppose we will never be absolutely sure, one way or the other.

Those of us who've witnessed the rage of men when they feel slighted or insulted - or challenged - will probably continue to believe that he shot her in a fit of uncontrolled anger.

Although the text messages between the couple prior to the shooting cannot be used to define their relationship, those from her clearly indicate that he had some problems with anger-control, and it appears he made some rather unpleasant accusations against Reeva. But - some messages also indicated that they were a loving couple as well, so...

Of course, like most others who believe he murdered her when the "red mist" blinded his sense, it's only a gut feeling. So I admit I could be wrong.

However, his release is not going to be a happy event for him, the conditions of his parole will still see him a captive - just in a better environment.

All the evidence was before the court and he was convicted of murder. In this country a charge has to be proved beyond reasonable doubt. We have only his story about the intruder. Whether he believed there was an intruder or not, his actions were deliberate and he would have known they would have caused the death of, or grievous bodily harm to, the person in the loo. That was his intention when firing the gun. I don’t know what further proof anyone who wasn’t in the courtroom would want.

Another assessment of his past history showed a man with a quick temper, previous girlfriends spoke of his issues with them, plus the fact he was taking steriods.
Why didn't he phone sercurity/ police?

Which just means he didn’t wake up that morning and think
I m going to kill my girlfriend…. but because he was angry and seeing the proverbial red mist he did kill her anyway but does that make it less of a crime when it has the same outcome I think he has served a very short sentence fir taking a life

BlueBelle

Chestnut have you never encounter anyone (mostly men) enraged beyond belief when a woman doesn’t do what they want.. it’s white rage completely beyond their thought process But without a gun he would not have killed her
There was a reason the poor girl was hiding in the toilet trying to call for help she hadn’t gone for a wee

It's not relevant whether I have encountered anyone in a rage. You have presented one version of events and I have presented another. Mine is backed up by the psychiatrist who conducted a mental health assessment on him and stated that due to his disability Pistorius was more likely to respond to any threat with "fight" rather than "flight". In other words he would be terrified because of his inability to escape or fight back. I can't imagine how frightening that would be.

Unfortunately no-one was there and as far as I can see there is no actual proof either way, so I fail to see how this can be classed as murder rather than culpable homicide. You have to give the defendant the benefit of the doubt surely. If they had the death penalty then Pistorius would now be dead with no actual proof he was guilty.

The verdict of culpable homicide was overturned and he was found guilty of murder.

Iam64

Chestnut - there was an investigation, a trial where his not guilty plea was rejected, an appeal where it was all reviewed and he was found guilty. All the points you raised were dissected in minute detail
His history shows an unstable personality with a temper, a sense of entitlement. She was hiding from him. She was scared. She is dead

He was not found guilty of murder. He was found guilty of culpable homicide, on the basis that, even if he did think it was an intruder, his reaction to the person shut in a small space would have killed them.

Chestnut have you never encounter anyone (mostly men) enraged beyond belief when a woman doesn’t do what they want.. it’s white rage completely beyond their thought process But without a gun he would not have killed her
There was a reason the poor girl was hiding in the toilet trying to call for help she hadn’t gone for a wee

I understand he has to live (with his uncle) for 5 years under strict conditions including not talking to the press. So not really free.

I believe he knew she was in there and in a state of rage fired through the door. When the red mist evaporated of course he was devastated as uncontrollable temper had killed her.
The guilty verdict was correct and I don't think he should be among others with a gun again.

In England and Wales premeditation is not required. Murder is committed if there is an intention to cause death or serious injury. Firing the gun as he did quite deliberately towards a small space in which he believed there to be a person could not have failed to cause death or serious injury to that person. I don’t know about SA law, but he was found guilty.

Mollygo

If I deliberately fired four shots into a room where I heard a noise, knowing that if someone was in there they might be killed, would you let me off?

He may have fired the shots deliberately, but in an adrenaline fuelled state of fear and panic would that be murder? I thought self defence was always taken into consideration. Obviously I wasn't present in court and it's a complex situation, but I just can't see a logical reason for him to shoot her dead knowing he would be convicted. It's self destructive.

Just because he was said to have an 'unstable personality with a temper, a sense of entitlement' does not make him a murderer. The only thing that makes him a murderer is evidence and proof this was a deliberate act that was premeditated.

It is the most beautiful country Dickens and the people were lovely, apart from a few horrible racist whites that we met,

and the music is fabulous.. I hope you have managed to visit your son.. no jet lag either...

pascal30

I lived in South Africa for a year in 2000 and it wasn't nearly a scary as people are making out.. I worked and travelled around the townships, and drove down at one time from Johannesburg all the way to Cape Town without incident.. it has possibly become more violent but I did not have any unpleasant experiences.. I do though agree with Bluebelle about guns.. and I don't believe that he was innocent..

I lived in South Africa for a year in 2000 and it wasn't nearly a scary as people are making out.. I worked and travelled around the townships...

Thank you for that.

My son lives in South Africa with his family (Western Cape) and has also worked in some of the townships.

He is aware of the danger, but does not own a gun, and does not have bars on his windows. He drives the children to school and back every day (no public transport), plays in a band in Cape Town, and does not live a life of fear. Though, of course, he is very aware that there are certain 'no-go' areas.

It is the most dangerous country in the world I believe, but that does not mean that the whole country is in lockdown.

I don't believe OP was innocent either.

Chestnut - there was an investigation, a trial where his not guilty plea was rejected, an appeal where it was all reviewed and he was found guilty. All the points you raised were dissected in minute detail
His history shows an unstable personality with a temper, a sense of entitlement. She was hiding from him. She was scared. She is dead

If I deliberately fired four shots into a room where I heard a noise, knowing that if someone was in there they might be killed, would you let me off?

I'm not sure why he would murder anyone deliberately with the purpose of killing them. He would know he would be found guilty and sent to prison because there was no-one else there who could have fired the gun. It would be a very stupid thing to do, basically an act of self destruction.

Surely more likely he was absolutely terrified and fired the gun in self defence, not having time to think of the consequences (that someone would die). He says he thought Reeva was still in bed. I understand that sounds weak but it's quite believable. Hearing a noise in another part of the flat would immediately send the adrenaline into overdrive and his brain into panic mode. His actions would not be logical in that situation. It was reported how distraught he was after her death, it really broke him. I believe him.

Other countries have other rules. Nothing to do with us.

I am not sure what you mean, lots of people hold a different opinion on the morality or wisdom of his release. So in a sense it is controversial.

polomint

Pistorious is being released on parole Fri 5th Jan. His sentence is nit finished till 2029. Any thoughts on this controversial information?

It's interesting to see you bias. I don't find it controversial.

I lived in South Africa for a year in 2000 and it wasn't nearly a scary as people are making out.. I worked and travelled around the townships, and drove down at one time from Johannesburg all the way to Cape Town without incident.. it has possibly become more violent but I did not have any unpleasant experiences.. I do though agree with Bluebelle about guns.. and I don't believe that he was innocent..

I think we all read what you said Aveline

Sigh

your girlfriend isn't beside you exactly kissngate so you start shooting anyway .