In what type of ‘specialised inmate category’, set out for offenders in correctional facilities, does Oscar Pistorius fit? [1]
4.2.
Identify and elaborate on the different role players in the abovementioned trial process of State vs Pistorius [6]
4.3.
By referencing two sources, provide a definition for the concept ‘gang’ [2]
Pistorius, Pretoria and Prosecutors The trial of Oscar Pistorius for the murder of Reeva Steenkamp (The State vs Oscar Pistorius) in the High Court of South Africa in Pretoria opened on 3 March 2014. Pistorius was an athlete with a disability who completed in multiple Paralympic Games and the 2012 Summer Olympics. Steenkamp, a model, was shot and killed by Pistorius at his Pretoria home. The trial commenced from 2014 to 2016, Judge Thokozile Masipa appointed two assessors, Janette Henzen du Toit and Themba Mazibuko, to help her evaluate the case and reach a verdict. During the trial, a witness (a neighbour of Pistorius) confessed that she had heard a loud argument in the early hours of the morning minutes before shots were fired. Hereafter, state Prosecutor Gerrie Nel claimed that Pistorius had put on his prosthetic legs, walked across hiss bedroom to the bathroom, and intentionally shot Steenkamp through the door. Nel argued that the time required for this process was sufficient to establish the that the murder was premeditated. In 2016, Pistorius was found guilty of murder and sentenced to 15 years imprisonment. Pistorius continues with his life in prison – and in 2017 footage was released of how he and a notorious and dangerous gang member were playing football in the communal court yard.
Oscar Pistorius fits into the category of offenders with disabilities who are held in correctional facilities. He is a specialized inmate due to his disability as an athlete with prosthetic legs.
The different role players in the trial process of State vs Pistorius include:
1. Judge Thokozile Masipa: She was the presiding judge in the case and responsible for overseeing the trial and making a final judgment.
2. Assessors: Janette Henzen du Toit and Themba Mazibuko were appointed by Judge Masipa to assist in evaluating the case and reaching a verdict.
3. State Prosecutor Gerrie Nel: He was the prosecutor representing the state in the trial, responsible for presenting the evidence against Pistorius and arguing for his guilt.
4. Defense lawyer Barry Roux: He represented Oscar Pistorius and argued for his innocence throughout the trial, presenting evidence and cross-examining witnesses.
5. Witnesses: Various individuals were called as witnesses during the trial, including neighbors who heard the altercation, forensic experts, and friends and family of Pistorius and Steenkamp.
6. Media: The trial received extensive media coverage both in South Africa and internationally. Journalists and reporters covered the proceedings and provided updates to the public.
Two sources that provide a definition for the concept of a 'gang' are:
1. The Oxford English Dictionary defines a gang as "a group of people involved in criminal activity, typically carrying out illegal and violent activities collectively."
2. The U.S. Department of Justice defines a gang as "a group of three or more individuals who share a common interest, bond, or purpose, and who engage in criminal activity, often with the use of intimidation and violence."
Oscar Pistorius, the South African athlete convicted of the murder of Reeva Steenkamp, fits into the category of a regular inmate in the correctional facility where he is serving his sentence.
In the trial process of State vs Pistorius, there were several role players involved:
1. Oscar Pistorius: The defendant in the case, who was charged with the murder of Reeva Steenkamp.
2. Judge Thokozile Masipa: The presiding judge who was responsible for overseeing the trial and ultimately making the final decision.
3. Janette Henzen du Toit and Themba Mazibuko: These two assessors were appointed by Judge Masipa to assist her in evaluating the case and reaching a verdict.
4. State Prosecutor Gerrie Nel: The prosecutor representing the state and responsible for presenting the case against Pistorius.
5. Reeva Steenkamp: The victim in the case, whose murder was being investigated and for which Pistorius was being tried.
6. Witnesses: Various individuals who provided testimonies and evidence in the trial, including neighbors who claimed to have heard arguments and gunshots.
Moving on to the concept of a 'gang,' here are two definitions from different sources:
1. According to the Oxford Dictionary, a gang is "an organized group of criminals, typically operating under the control of a leader and involved in illegal activities."
2. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime defines a gang as "a relatively durable, predominantly street-based group of young people who see themselves (and are seen by others) as a discernible group, and engage in a range of criminal activity and violence."
It should be noted that the information regarding Oscar Pistorius playing football with a dangerous gang member in the prison courtyard is not directly related to his trial or the specialized inmate category he falls into.
Oscar Pistorius, the athlete who was convicted of the murder of Reeva Steenkamp, fits into the category of "offenders in correctional facilities." This category refers to individuals who have been convicted of a crime and are serving their sentences in a correctional facility, such as a prison.
To identify and elaborate on the different role players in the trial process of State vs Pistorius, we can refer to the information provided in the text. In this trial, there are several key individuals involved:
1. Oscar Pistorius: He is the main defendant in the case, who is accused of the murder of Reeva Steenkamp. Pistorius was an athlete with a disability, known for his achievements in the Paralympic Games and the 2012 Summer Olympics.
2. Reeva Steenkamp: She is the victim in this case. Steenkamp, a model, was shot and killed by Pistorius at his home in Pretoria.
3. Judge Thokozile Masipa: She presided over the trial as the judge. Judge Masipa was responsible for making decisions, interpreting the law, and reaching a verdict in the case.
4. Janette Henzen du Toit and Themba Mazibuko: These two individuals were appointed by Judge Masipa as assessors to help evaluate the case and reach a verdict. Assessors provide assistance to the judge by sharing their knowledge and expertise on legal matters.
5. Prosecutor Gerrie Nel: He represented the state in the trial and was responsible for presenting the case against Pistorius. Nel argued that Pistorius intentionally shot Steenkamp through the bathroom door and that it was a premeditated murder.
Moving on to the concept of 'gang,' we can provide a definition by referencing two sources:
Source 1: According to the Oxford Dictionary, a gang is "an organized group of criminals or delinquents."
Source 2: The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines a gang as "a group of criminals or hoodlums who band together for mutual protection and profit."
These definitions highlight the criminal nature and the element of organized association within a gang.