Judge Thokozile Masipa's decision to convict Oscar Pistorius of the South African equivalent of manslaughter has provoked outrage among those who think he has literally got away with murder.
She decided that he did not intend to kill his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp when firing four shots through the door of his bathroom on Valentine's Day last year and was therefore guilty of the lesser charge of culpable homicide.
This means the disgraced Paralympian no longer faces the possibility of life in jail with 25 years without parole - the sentence for premeditated murder.
Judge Masipa also acquitted him of what is known elsewhere in the world as second-degree murder - which would have meant at least 15 years behind bars (unless the defence had provided "substantial and compelling" reasons why he should not serve it).
The verdict of culpable homicide leaves the judge with a wide range of possible sentences.
It does not carry a minimum jail term, but she can still put him behind bars - or pass, for example, a suspended prison sentence.
Other punishments include correctional supervision (including house arrest), a fine, or a combination of these options.
Pistorius also faces sentence for illegally discharging a firearm in a public place. This carries a potential fine as well.
Judge Masipa's perceived leniency prompted protests outside the court and on the internet and led to her being given police protection.
However, in the recent sentencing of men convicted of violent crimes against women she has been anything but lenient.
Last year, she sentenced a robber and serial rapist to 252 years in jail.
And in 2009, she sentenced a police officer to life in prison for shooting his wife dead at a police station.
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Gallery: Reeva Steenkamp's Life In Pictures
Reeva Steenkamp, 29, was born in Cape Town and grew up in Port Elizabeth. She went to a convent school and studied law. She was a keen horse rider until she broke her back.
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She moved to Johannesburg from Cape Town to model for Avon cosmetics. In 2012, Reeva was voted number 45 in the South African FHM 100 Sexiest Women in the World poll.
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She featured as a celebrity contestant on BBC Lifestyle show Baking Made Easy in 2012.
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The model was a keen Twitter user, and had more than 34,000 followers. She used the site to promote women's rights and empowerment.
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Her former fashion editor, Barbara Robertson, described the model as being "sweet, and down-to-earth" with the "it factor". She compared her to an "early Kate Moss".
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Reeva Steenkamp on the set of reality TV show Tropika Island of Treasure (Pic: Stimulii)
:: Watch a Sky special programme with all the developments as they happen in Pretoria live from 8am on Tuesday on Sky News, Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 132 and Freesat channel 202.
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