PUBLIC CRITICISMS OF JUDGE MASIPA'S JUDGEMENT MAY LAND OSCAR PISTORIUS LONG JAIL TERM

   LAST week, Judge Thokozile Masipa acquitted the paralympian South African athlete, Oscar Pistorius of the premeditated murder of his late girlfriend and model, Reeva Steenkamp after a trial that lasted over 42 days and generated global interest. She,however,convicted him of culpable homicide. His sentencing will take place anytime from October 13.
   In giving her verdict, Judge Masipa was,in all fairness, so thorough and painstaking, as she relied heavily on the facts of the case,and confirmed that the prosecutor failed to prove its case against the athlete beyond reasonable doubt. Surprisingly enough, since giving her verdict, there has been a public outrage in South Africa that she is ''too lenient'' on the disgraced athlete. Print media,electronic media,blogs and social media have descended so heavily on her that the public criticisms may negatively affect the sentencing she will hand over to the accused. In South  African law, culpable homicide could attract a maximum 15 years jail term, and a minimum of suspended sentence and community service. If this castigation continues,Judge Masipa may be forced to wield the big stick and hand over maximum sentence the accused. That will be too bad and unfair for the emotionally dispirited athlete.