Oscar Pistorius could be leveled with a prison term of at least 15 years when he’s sentenced in a South African courtroom on Wednesday.
But the 29-year-old former Olympic sprinter could also see a significantly lighter sentence for the Valentine’s Day 2013 murder of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.
“I think he’ll get less than 15 years, maybe even a suspended sentence with probation,” said New York-based defense attorney Barry Slotnick, who’s studied the case. “He’s a very powerful figure in South Africa and that alone could be enough to keep him out of jail.”
Judge Thokozile Masipa can reduce the mandatory 15-year sentence if she finds "substantial and compelling circumstances.