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We can play "did or didn't" Oscar Pistorius kill his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on purpose all we want, but a judge has made the final call about the former Olympian's fate: he has been sentenced to five years in jail. Judge Thokozile Masipa also gave the South African athlete a three-year suspended sentence for a firearms charge.
Last month, Pistorius was cleared of homicide charges after a judge decided he did not intentionally shoot and kill Steenkamp at their home in 2013. He was instead convicted of culpable murder, which is similar to manslaughter.
On February 14, 2013, Pistorius shot and killed his model girlfriend, who was 29 at the time, because he says he thought she was an intruder who had broken into the home they shared in South Africa. Despite a neighbor's claim that she heard "blood-curdling screams" coming from their home and that both Steenkamp and Pistorius yelled for help before a single gunshot was fired, the judge did not find enough evidence to convict the double amputee sprinter for murder.
Prosecutors reportedly pushed for Pistorius to get a minimum 10-year term, but his defense attorneys fought back, saying he had already spent time under house arrest and had performed community service.
Pistorius is expected to serve just 10 months in actual prison -- the rest of his sentence will be served while under house arrest.
Because of his disability, he will also reportedly be evaluated during his first few hours in prison to make sure the conditions are suitable for him.
Steenkamp's parents -- whose opinion of this sentencing is the only one that truly matters -- say they are happy with the judge's decision and relieved that they can put this heartbreaking case behind them.
What do you think about Oscar Pistorius' five-year sentence?
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