'Blade Runner' Pistorius gets 5 years in prison

JOHANNESBURG — South African Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius was sentenced to prison for five years Tuesday for the 2013 killing of his girlfriend, less than half the time he could have received following his manslaughter conviction last month.

Judge Thokozile Masipa said a long sentence would show a lack of mercy toward Pistorius, known as the "Blade Runner" for racing on prosthetic legs. She suspended a separate three-year sentence for an unrelated firearms charge.

Barry Roux, Pistorius' lawyer, said his client could be released after 10 months to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest.

Pistorius could have received up to 15 years in prison for shooting model Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine's Day 2013 in his home. The case has brought global attention to the 27-year-old double-amputee.

The judge, ruling in place of a jury, found Pistorius guilty of culpable homicide — the equivalent of manslaughter — for killing Steenkamp, 29, after shooting her through a bathroom door. She acquitted him of murder.