Oscar Pistorius sentenced

I agree with this, except I don't think he meant to kill her, I think he was just trying to frighten her.

 

If it was during the day, I would be less convinced about what happened but Oscar claims Reeva was asleep and must have got up for a piddle, how many times have you taken your phone with you in this circumstance?

Also the bullets used were hard core, nicknamed Dum Dum bullets as they explode internally causing maximum damage. Firing these at her could have had no other outcome.

 

Totally agree with you **Yvonne**...What is the 1st thing you do if you think you have a burglar in your home you make sure your loved one's are all fine..not go in all guns blazing.

 

Not really up on ballistics, but wouldn't dum dums have just gone splat on hitting the door?

I'm amazed her parent said they thought justice had been done.
Obviously they have settled for a pay off.

 

With respect: that is what everyone *thinks* they would/should/could do .... when they have the luxury of sitting back (unthreatened) in the comfort of their armchair/computer/down the pub/at work/chatting with whoever
And, logically/morally, that's what we all assume would be the "natural" reaction under those circumstances.
But (and this is a big but!) no one actually *knows* how they would react until it happens for real! Or, put another way: until put to the test.
We all have adrenaline which will pump hard and fast through us when we are under (perceived) threat. Until you are in a given situation, you have no idea if your adrenaline will result in a fight or flight response.
Of course I would like to think/believe that if someone broke into my home I would magically transform into Super Man/Woman (sans silly cloak/overt undies, of course ) rush to protect my family, secure their safety and all will be well. Reality (under those circumstances) can present a completely different scenario.
Just to confirm: my comments above are *not* in relation to the OP case directly. They are in response to the hypothetical context of "if you think you have a burglar in your home" and how you would (allegedly) react.

 

I understand the point you are making, but personally I would identify the threat before taking action.
My ex wife would often fall asleep downstairs, whilst I was upstairs in bed. Other times she would get up in the night to eat (diabetic). The first thing I did, if I heard a noise downstairs, or anywhere, was to see if she was in bed next to me. If not, it was fairly safe to assume it was her.
If she 'was' upstairs, and I went downstairs and saw a light on.....I certainly wouldn't fire a gun through the lounge door !! I think the normal course of action would be to call out a warning, to see if you get a response.... like 'who's there? ' . Yeah, if I then felt threatened by someone coming at me, and I saw it was an intruder, I would no doubt fire in self defence.
I don't know the full details of the case, but I don't think he gave her a chance did he?? Please correct me if wrong.
I do realise that in that country, and ours , that the intruder may be armed too, but I just couldn't shoot unless threatened/the intruder identified as a threat/or being fired at first. Even if I did die in the process. I think UK law would probably agree with that?
I know what you are trying to say, and everyone reacts differently.

 

And, of course (with hindsight) your "assumption" was correct
I don't keep a gun (so, for me at least, that reference/speculation is immaterial)

And respect to you for what you think/assume is how you may react.
But, that is my entire point; not that everyone is different - my point is: there is a wealth of difference between what we would like to THINK we would do under threat and how we might actually respond under actual threat when adrenaline kicks in!
Adrenaline production may well be a reaction from the mind to a given circumstance, but, once induced, logic can fly out of the window.

 

Hindsight? not really. If you call out is that you ***, and they say yes , then the assumption becomes *fact*
Gun reference is purely hypothetical of course
As for your point, I said I understood that, but I think its normal to do what I said. I reckon every man on here, would check it wasn't a family member by looking or calling out first before battering someone.

 

I don't think anyone really believes the 'intruder' story, but why would he kill her? there is no possible reason for him to do that, hot headed? a bully? possibly both, and he has to live with the outcome which is why I think the sentence was a fair one.

 

My misunderstanding (?) : I thought you wrote you would call out if it was a "downstairs" scenario.
You may "reckon" (think/assume) every person on here would check first - that is a commonly held belief - I'm stating, from experience, that what we might "assume" to be the "natural" reaction (assumed fact) *if* a certain set of circumstances occurred (e.g. a hypothetical belief) so often isn't the case at all. And no one can say, with 100% certainty, how they would "actually" react in any given circumstance. Simply because adrenaline takes over and logic leaves the building!
Equally, if you call out 'is that you' and you receive a reply of 'yes', that does not make the assumption "fact". It merely shows that someone has responded "yes" but does not prove, unequivocally, that that is the person you think it may be. You could be deluded into thinking it is the person you assume it to be simply because you have been given an affirmative to the question you asked. It is not as clear cut as you present: unfortunately.

 

Well if it was a deep manly voice, I know it wouldn't be her
I am sure I would know the voice of my family members.
I do agree with you, that nobody can say with 100% accuracy how someone else may react. If someone disagreed with me, then obviously I would accept that without issue. I can imagine some guy panicking and doing something silly, but I think most rational people would take every possible effort to get a grip on what is occuring. As for 'me' though, I know myself!
If however, I walked into my lounge and my stepson grabbed me around the neck, he would get everything he deserved!! THAT would be a totally different scenario, and I would agreed that an action like that, may get the response you suggest may happen. Flight or fight!
If your husband was suppose to be shopping for example, and you came home and found the door open, and the lounge light on, how would you react? (out of interest)

 

I'd be pretty frightened if someone shot me to death on the bog

 

Yes it is, i've not shot stabbed or clubbed any family members for being on the bog at night, full stop.