With livestreaming available for the world to tune in to the Oscar Pistorius trial, many were greatly disappointed at the star athlete's final verdict. The reactions were so severe that several legal groups have expressed worry over Judge Thozokile Masipa's safety.
Judge Masipa, one of the first black female judges in South Africa, was placed under police protection due to a "wave of criticism" aimed at her after acquitting Pistorius from premeditated murder, The Daily Mail reported.
Prosecutors maintained that the Blade Runner killed his girlfriend, model Reeva Steenkamp, in cold blood on Valentines' Day last year. However, he insisted that he thought he was shooting an intruder through the bathroom door and not Steenkamp.
Despite online judgment for Pistorius' conviction, the 66-year-old judge deemed the Paralympian gold medallist only "negligent" when he "hastily" shot at the bathroom door.
This decision was not met with applause from most South Africans. Several criticisms of the judge's verdict were so severe that it bordered on "hate speech, defamation and contempt of court," according to CBC News.
She was also accused of being corrupt. Indignant groups targeted her race and gender as well.
SECTION27, the Legal Resources Centre, and the Centre for Child Law condemned this action.
"Attacking the judge's integrity and making insinuations of bribery or that she's not fit because she's a woman, or that she's black, means that you're breaking down the belief in the law," SECTION27 said last week
According to the CBC report, legal analysts agree with the Judge Masipa's final judgment. However, some also believe that Pistorius should have been given a heavier conviction since he knew he could possibly kill someone when he fired those shots at the bathroom door - whether he knew it was Steenkamp inside the room or not.
Pistorius, who is currently out on bail, will be facing Judge Masipa and the world again on October 13 for his sentence hearing. Punishment for culpable homicide will be at the judge's discretion.
Prosecutors will have to wait for the sentencing next month to decide whether or not they will appeal for the Oscar Pistorius trial.
