(CNN) -- From a globally lauded athlete to convicted
killer, Oscar Pistorius' fall from grace culminated
Tuesday with a five-year sentence in the shooting death
of his girlfriend.
The sentence was imposed for the charge of culpable
homicide, which in South Africa means a person was
killed unintentionally, but unlawfully.
He was also given a three-year sentence on a firearms
charge, but it was suspended for five years on condition
he is not found guilty of another crime where there is
negligence involving a firearm during that period.
That count related to an occasion when Pistorius
discharged a loaded handgun under a table in a busy
restaurant. No one was hurt.
During his trial, the double-amputee sprinter often
sobbed at the mention of his girlfriend Reeva
Steenkamp's name. He insisted that he mistook her for
an intruder when he shot her through a toilet door on
Valentine's Day 2013.
But there was very little visible reaction from Pistorius as
the sentence was read.
Pistorius' defense has called for a sentence of house
arrest and community service.
'Mine and mine alone'
Giving her reasoning Tuesday, Judge Thokozile Masipa
emphasized that the decision on sentencing would be
"mine and mine alone."
She pointed out that sentencing is not an exact science
but relies on an assessment of elements including the
nature and seriousness of the crime, the personal
circumstances of the accused and the interests of
society.
She said she would also take into account the factors in
sentencing of retribution, deterrence and rehabilitation.
In any case, she said, "sentencing is about achieving
the right balance."
No 'insurmountable challenge'
In her final remarks, Masipa dismissed evidence given
by probation officer Annette Vergeer that prison would
not be able to accommodate Pistorius' disability, saying
her testimony was outdated and sketchy.
She said Pistorius would not present the prison system
with an "insurmountable challenge."
The judge added that she felt Pistorius' vulnerability had
been overstated in the evidence given and that his
excellent coping strategies -- shown in his ability to
compete with able-bodied atletes -- had been
overlooked.
He would be able to continue treatment for physical
problems and mental health issues while in prison, she
said.
In terms of the seriousness of the offense, Masipa said
Pistorius had shown gross negligence in shooting into a
small toilet cubicle, knowing there was someone inside
who could not escape. He also knew how to handle
firearms, she said, adding that these were "very
aggravating" factors.
On the other hand, mitigating factors include that
Pistorius is a first offender and remorseful, Masipa said.
She also mentioned his contribution to society in giving
his time and money to charities and inspiring others with
disabilities to believe they could succeed.
Masipa indicated that whatever sentence she handed
down would not be impacted by Pistorius' fame.
"It would be a sad day for this country if the impression
was to be created that there was one law for the poor
and disadvantaged and another for the rich and
famous," she said.
The judge also highlighted the loss suffered by
Steenkamp's family, which has had a negative impact
on her father's health.
Steenkamp was young, vivacious and full of life at the
time of her death, she said.
"The loss of life cannot be reversed. Nothing I say or do
today can reverse what happened," she said.
'Sweetest human being'
Steenkamp, 29, was a law school graduate who turned
to modeling in recent years.
"She was the kindest, sweetest human being, an angel
on earth," said her agency, Capacity Relations.
Pistorius, 27, made history when he became the first
Paralympian to compete in the able-bodied Olympics in
2012. He was born without the fibulae in his legs, which
were amputated below the knee when he was 11
months old.
At the London Olympics, he ran on special carbon fiber
blades that earned him the nickname "Blade Runner."
Even though he didn't medal, he became an inspiration
to the disabled and a national hero in South Africa.
Pistorius talked about his fame as a role model before
the shooting.
"Obviously, being an international sportsman, there's a
lot of responsibility that comes with that," he told CNN.
"So having to remember that there are kids out there,
especially, that look up to you is definitely something
that you need to keep at the back of your mind."
State prosecutor Gerrie Nel had called for a minimum
prison sentence of 10 years for Pistorius.
"This is a serious matter," Nel said at the end of the
arguments over sentencing. "The negligence borders on
intent. Ten years is the minimum."
There is no legal minimum sentence for culpable
homicide in South African law, so the decision is entirely
up to the judge's discretion.
Pistorius' siblings speak out
On the eve of Pistorius' sentencing, two of his biggest
supporters -- his siblings -- told CNN's Robyn Curnow
that the lives of everyone close to the trial have already
been changed forever, no matter the outcome.
"No one who's been close to the situation can just
overcome it," Aimee Pistorius said. "It's something my
brother will carry with him forever and ... regardless of
what's happening now it's just a certain phase in a
journey that will never end."
As the defense attorneys have argued, she said there is
no reason to doubt that her brother believed an intruder
was in the bathroom who posed a risk to him and
Steenkamp when he fired shots through the toilet door.
Aimee Pistorius said she was shocked when
she first heard about the fatal shooting.
"But also knowing my brother -- his
insecurities, who he is -- the very first thing
that came to my mind is that it could have
only been a mistaken identity for an intruder
and that's because I know my brother and I
know his fears," she said.
"It's never going to be over," Aimee Pistorius
said. "Something like this changes my
brother's life, our lives, the Steenkamps',
their family, their friends."
Whatever the court decides, public opinion
has been harsh on Oscar Pistorius, which
both siblings said had affected them.
There have even been reports of threats by
gang leaders in prison against Oscar Pistorius
that have the family worried.
Steenkamp's father: 'Only he knows'
Steenkamp's parents are skeptical about the
man who killed their daughter.
"If he's telling the truth, I may forgive him
one day," father Barry Steenkamp told the
Afrikaans-language newspaper Beeld.
But ''if it didn't happen as he described it,
he should suffer. And he will suffer ... only he
knows."

Just 5?

Pistorius is a LUCKY man!

I dey here too.

B