Oscar Pistorius was the first amputee athlete to compete in the Olympics. Pistorius was born without a fibula in either of his legs and his parents made the decision to have his legs amputated below the knees. Within six months of the amputations, he was walking successfully with two prosthetic legs. At the age of 16, Pistorius joined his school’s track team and discovered his talent and passion for running.

In 2004, Pistorius won gold in the 200-meter race at the Athens Paralympics which encouraged him to begin racing against non-disabled runners in South Africa. He raced against able-bodied runners until he was banned by the International Association of Athletic Foundations who claimed that his prosthetic legs gave him an unfair advantage over the other runners. The ruling was overturned in 2008 once Pistorius appealed.

After missing the 2008 Olympics due to his ban, Pistorius qualified for the 400-meter race at the London Olympics in 2012. Although eliminated in the semifinal round of the race, he made his mark by becoming the first amputee athlete to compete in the Olympics. Now, Pistorius will also be the first Olympic amputee athlete charged with murder.

In February 2013, famous South African model Reeva Steenkamp, Pitorius’ then girlfriend, was found dead at his home in Pretoria, South Africa. Steenkamp was shot and killed on February 14, 2013. She was shot in the head and arm. Pistorius was immediately named a suspect in the case.

On February 19, 2013, Pistorius admitted to “accidentally” shooting Steenkamp at his home. He claimed that he mistakened his girlfriend for an intruder and shot her through a closed door. Pistorious faced a charge of premeditated murder that, if found guilty, would result in a mandatory life sentence.

Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2014, over a year and a half after the death of Steenkamp, a verdict was finally reached.

Pistorius was found guilty of culpable homicide, similar to manslaughter but international recognized, for killing Steenkamp and was sentenced to five years in prison. He was acquitted of murder.

Few agree that the sentence was heavy enough and most expected it to be much harsher.

Was the shooting really an accident?  Does Pitoirus deserve five years? Or is he a murderer that deserves life in prison?

Judge Thokozile Masipa, the judge ruling in place of a jury on his case, believes that it was just an accident.