Blade runner Pistorius gets 5-year jail term for killing girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp

Months of suspense finally ended as disabled Olympic runner Oscar Pistorius was sentenced to five years in jail.

Oscar Pistorius, right, speaks with defense lawyer Brian Webber after his arrival in court in Pretoria, South Africa, Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2014. (Source: AP)

Oscar Pistorius has been sentenced to five years in prison for killing girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

Judge Thokozile Masipa delivered the ruling on Tuesday after reviewing prosecution arguments for a tough sentence as well as the defense case for a more lenient punishment for the double-amputee Olympic runner.

Pistorius killed Steenkamp on Valentine’s Day last year, shooting her through a closed toilet door in his home. Pistorius testified that the shooting was an accident after mistaking his girlfriend for a nighttime intruder. Masipa convicted him of culpable homicide, or negligent killing, but acquitted him of murder.

Pistorius was escorted through crowds of onlookers and into the Pretoria courthouse by police officers wearing blue berets. The parents of Steenkamp, the woman he shot multiple times through a toilet cubicle door in his home on Feb. 14, 2013, were also in court to hear the sentence.

The courtroom was packed, reflecting heightened media and public interest ahead of the sentencing. Police officers stood guard in the aisles.

Before proceedings started, Dr. Lore Hartzenberg, a psychologist, held Pistorius’ hand and spoke softly to him. Hartzenberg had testified for the defense that Pistorius was a “broken man” after killing his girlfriend and had suffered emotionally and financially.

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