Draconian sentence

Paralympian athlete Oscar Pistorius was cleared of murder but convicted of culpable homicide, the equivalent of manslaughter in English law.
— The concept of a lesser charge of killing without intent was first put forward by 6th century Athenian legislator Draco, popularly known for the harshness of his legal code, which applied the death penalty for the smallest of offences, including stealing a cabbage.