"Homeless Mother Who Sent Six-Year-Old Son To Better School..."

"...In The Wrong Town Sent To Prison For Five Years"

Tonya McDowell sent her son to an elementary school in Norwalk, Connecticut, instead of her home city of Bridgeport.

The 34-year-old, who was homeless when she was charged with felony larceny last year, said she wanted the best education possible for the boy.

McDowell last week entered her plea at Norwalk Superior Court under the Alford Doctrine, which means she does not admit guilt but concedes the state has enough evidence to convict her.

Authorities told the hearing that she used a babysitter's address to enroll her son in kindergarten in Norwalk when he should have attended schools in Bridgeport, her last permanent address.

'Pathetic Slap on the Wrist': Pistorius sentenced to 10 months in prison for killing girlfriend

BBC: "South African athlete Oscar Pistorius has been given five years in jail for killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp."

Judge Thokozile Masipa also gave Pistorius a three-year suspended sentence for a firearms charge.

The parents of Reeva Steenkamp told the BBC they were happy with the sentence and relieved the case was over. The defence [sic] said it expected Pistorius to serve about 10 months in prison.

Pistorius was convicted of culpable homicide but cleared of murder.

Prosecutors had called for a minimum 10-year term, and the defence [sic] had argued for community service and house arrest.

Judge Masipa said she considered her sentence "fair and just, both to society and to the accused".

She said: "A non-custodial sentence would send the wrong message to the community. On the other hand, a long sentence would also not be appropriate either, as it would lack the element of mercy."

The Guardian takes a contrarian view: "Oscar Pistorius should not be going to jail"