VOA标准英语2014--Calls for Tough Justice in Pistorius Case

 

Calls for Tough Justice in Pistorius Case 

The first anniversary of the shooting death of South African model Reeva Steenkamp at the hands of her boyfriend, Paralympic sprinter¹ Oscar Pistorius, has sparked protests and calls for tougher justice in cases of violence against women.

The 29-year-old model and reality TV star was shot three times while in Pistorius' bathroom in the pre-dawn hours of Valentine's Day 2013.

The double-amputee sprinter, known as "Blade Runner," told a court last year he shot Steenkamp when he mistook her for an intruder. His trial is set to begin March 3.

When it does, a vocal² group of South Africans want the legal system to send a message.

"We wish that all cases could be speedily resolved, conviction rates to be very high and that all those that even think of abusing a woman would think twice before they can even abuse or think of doing anything wrong against a woman or a child here in [the South African province of] Gauteng," said Faith Mazibuko, a member of the Executive Council of Safety and Security.

Pistorius on Friday issued his first public statement about Steenkamp's death.

In a message posted on his Twitter account, he said he would carry the "complete trauma³ of that day" for the rest of his life.

He faces a possible life sentence with a minimum of 25 years in prison before the chance of parole if he is convicted of premeditated murder in Steenkamp's killing⁴.

The 27-year-old also faces other firearms-related charges. A judge will deliver a verdict. There is no trial by jury in South Africa.

Protesters Friday demanded the once-revered sports hero face transparent⁵ justice.

"We want them to ensure that the justice system happens where everybody can see it. They should not make it behind closed doors even if it's legal," said Patricia Chueu of the African National Congress Women's League.

 

Pistorius was the first double-amputee to run at the world championships and the Olympics.

1 sprinter   

n.短跑运动员，短距离全速奔跑者

参考例句：

• He is more a sprinter than a swimmer. 他是短跑健将，而不是游泳选手。 来自辞典例句
• The sprinter himself thinks he can run the race at 9.4 seconds. 这位短跑运动员自认为可以用9.4秒跑完比赛。 来自互联网

2 vocal   

adj.直言不讳的；嗓音的；n.[pl.]声乐节目

参考例句：

• The tongue is a vocal organ.舌头是一个发音器官。
• Public opinion at last became vocal.终于舆论哗然。

3 trauma   

n.外伤，精神创伤

参考例句：

• Counselling is helping him work through this trauma.心理辅导正帮助他面对痛苦。
• The phobia may have its root in a childhood trauma.恐惧症可能源于童年时期的创伤。

4 killing   

n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财

参考例句：

• Investors are set to make a killing from the sell-off.投资者准备清仓以便大赚一笔。
• Last week my brother made a killing on Wall Street.上个周我兄弟在华尔街赚了一大笔。

5 transparent   

adj.明显的，无疑的；透明的

参考例句：

• The water is so transparent that we can see the fishes swimming.水清澈透明，可以看到鱼儿游来游去。
• The window glass is transparent.窗玻璃是透明的。