I've had a very disturbing thought. We know that this is a "show trial" designed to demonstrate to the world that South Africa can deliver justice without corruption. Suppose Pistorius is found guilty of murder and given a lengthy prison sentence, all well and good and showing that it doesn't matter if you're rich, white and powerful, yadda yadda yadda
But he isn't immediately taken into custody, he is allowed to go home and "sort his affairs out" - and he defects. There would be much shock and disappointment expressed at what a naughty dishonest boy he's been, but the point about justice will have been made, he had a fair trial etc etc. but his freedom will have been bought after all, kwim.
Please someone tell me that this can't happen.
After conviction, Id be shocked if Masipa gives him bail.
Shes not exactly known for being a bleeding heart towards convicted rapists and murderers. LOL
She has gone out of her way from day one to give OP more than an equitable, fair trial - she owes him nothing more. (Compared to the vast majority of SA defendants, hes already received special treatment on multiple levels.)
She knows OP takes responsibility for NOTHING; she knows the vast resources and connections of the family behind him. Hes had 19 months to sort out his affairs - indeed, he just sold two more houses. This guy knows karma is headed his way and something big is going down. His life status has changed drastically - he no longer owns real property assets to hold him in SA, hes unemployed with no income (with zero future prospects). The only thing tying him to SA is his family - and if he disappeared to Mozambique (which has no extradition treaty with SA), hed still be just a road trip or plane ride away. Convenient.
Being convicted of murder is a whole new ball game from being an indicted suspect - the presumption of innocence is
gone. A convicted felon has nothing to lose by fleeing - especially one who has the money and networks (legal and underground) that privileged OP enjoys.
If OP flees on bail, a conviction alone cannot be considered justice done - the prison sentence must be carried out. Laws and verdicts without teeth are worse than useless - they make a mockery of the rule of law and subvert all faith in the justice system. (US banking laws are a notorious example.)
If OP fled while inexplicably being allowed bail, some might say it was a pre-planned, strategic move by the court, the best of both worlds to satisfy everyone - convict the killer but allow the hero to walk free. That would be the worst kind of perversion of justice. Given her sterling background, I simply cannot see My Lady committing such a calculated, Machiavellian offense.