As the judge in the Oscar Pistorius trial sentenced the athlete for manslaughter, there was another drama taking place online as the world's media tripped over itself trying to follow her meandering announcement.
News outlets, including the Daily Mail, were forced to hastily delete tweets announcing Pistorius's sentence before it had actually been revealed.
In a one-hour speech, Judge Thokozile Masipa listed lengthy details of previous historic judgements to build up to her decision.
But many reporters mistakenly thought were Pistorius's sentence.
Some media jumped the gun and published tweets and stories saying that Pistorius had been given three years imprisonment - which was in fact the sentence for a similar case in one of the judge's many laborious examples.
The Mail Online later deleted its premature tweet
After the confusion subsided, Pistorius was asked to stand, and he was sentenced to a maximum of five years in prison for the manslaughter of Reeva Steenkamp.
Oscar Pistorius Sentencing
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A police officer holds on to the police van that takes South African Paralympian athlete Oscar Pistorius to prison after his sentencing at the High Court in Pretoria on October 21, 2014. Pistorius was sentenced by Judge Thokozile Masipa to up to five years in jail for the shooting and killing of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine's Day 2013 at his home in South Africa. AFP PHOTO/MUJAHID SAFODIEN (Photo credit should read MUJAHID SAFODIEN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:MUJAHID SAFODIEN via Getty Images)
SAFRICA-TRIAL-SPORT-PISTORIUS(02 of40)
South African Paralympian athlete Oscar Pistorius (C) escorted by south african policemen enters a police van after being sentenced at the High Court in Pretoria on October 21, 2014. Pistorius was sentenced by Judge Thokozile Masipa to up to five years in jail for the shooting and killing of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine's Day 2013 at his home in South Africa. AFP PHOTO/MUJAHID SAFODIEN (Photo credit should read MUJAHID SAFODIEN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:MUJAHID SAFODIEN via Getty Images)
SAFRICA-TRIAL-SPORT-PISTORIUS(03 of40)
South African Paralympian athlete Oscar Pistorius (C) escorted by south african policemen walks towards a police van after being sentenced at the High Court in Pretoria on October 21, 2014. Pistorius was sentenced by Judge Thokozile Masipa to up to five years in jail for the shooting and killing of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine's Day 2013 at his home in South Africa. AFP PHOTO/MUJAHID SAFODIEN (Photo credit should read MUJAHID SAFODIEN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:MUJAHID SAFODIEN via Getty Images)
SAFRICA-TRIAL-SPORT-PISTORIUS(04 of40)
South African Paralympian athlete Oscar Pistorius (C) escorted by south african policemen enters a police van after being sentenced at the High Court in Pretoria on October 21, 2014. Pistorius was sentenced by Judge Thokozile Masipa to up to five years in jail for the shooting and killing of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine's Day 2013 at his home in South Africa. AFP PHOTO/MUJAHID SAFODIEN (Photo credit should read MUJAHID SAFODIEN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:MUJAHID SAFODIEN via Getty Images)
Oscar Pistorius Is Sentenced For Killing Girlfriend(05 of40)
BY COURT ORDER, THIS IMAGE IS FREE TO USE. PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA - OCTOBER 21 (SOUTH AFRICA OUT): Oscar Pistorius leaves the Pretoria High Court after he is sentenced on October 21, 2014, in Pretoria, South Africa. Judge Thokozile Masipa handed down her sentence today in the Oscar Pistorius murder trial. Pistorius was sentenced to five years in prison. (Photo by Herman Verwey/Foto24/Gallo Images/Getty Images) (credit:Gallo Images via Getty Images)
Oscar Pistorius Is Sentenced For Killing Girlfriend(06 of40)
BY COURT ORDER, THIS IMAGE IS FREE TO USE. PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA - OCTOBER 21 (SOUTH AFRICA OUT): Oscar Pistorius listens to his judgement in the Pretoria High Court on October 21, 2014, in Pretoria, South Africa. Judge Thokozile Masipa handed down her sentence today in the Oscar Pistorius murder trial. Pistorius was sentenced to five years in prison. (Photo by Herman Verwey/Foto24/Gallo Images/Getty Images) (credit:Gallo Images via Getty Images)
Oscar Pistorius Is Sentenced For Killing Girlfriend(07 of40)
BY COURT ORDER, THIS IMAGE IS FREE TO USE. PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA - OCTOBER 21 (SOUTH AFRICA OUT): Oscar Pistorius leaves the Pretoria High Court after he is sentenced on October 21, 2014, in Pretoria, South Africa. Judge Thokozile Masipa handed down her sentence today in the Oscar Pistorius murder trial. Pistorius was sentenced to five years in prison. (Photo by Herman Verwey/Foto24/Gallo Images/Getty Images) (credit:Gallo Images via Getty Images)
Oscar Pistorius Is Sentenced For Killing Girlfriend(08 of40)
BY COURT ORDER, THIS IMAGE IS FREE TO USE. PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA - OCTOBER 21 (SOUTH AFRICA OUT): Oscar Pistorius leaves the Pretoria High Court after he is sentenced on October 21, 2014, in Pretoria, South Africa. Judge Thokozile Masipa handed down her sentence today in the Oscar Pistorius murder trial. Pistorius was sentenced to five years in prison. (Photo by Herman Verwey/Foto24/Gallo Images/Getty Images) (credit:Gallo Images via Getty Images)
Oscar Pistorius Is Sentenced For Killing Girlfriend(09 of40)
BY COURT ORDER, THIS IMAGE IS FREE TO USE. PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA - OCTOBER 21 (SOUTH AFRICA OUT): Oscar Pistorius leaves the Pretoria High Court after he is sentenced on October 21, 2014, in Pretoria, South Africa. Judge Thokozile Masipa handed down her sentence today in the Oscar Pistorius murder trial. Pistorius was sentenced to five years in prison. (Photo by Herman Verwey/Foto24/Gallo Images/Getty Images) (credit:Gallo Images via Getty Images)
APTOPIX South Africa Pistorius Trial(10 of40)
Oscar Pistorius, left front, greets his uncle Arnold Pistorius, right, and other family members as he is led out of court in Pretoria, South Africa, Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2014. Pistorius received a five-year prison sentence for culpable homicide by judge Thokozile Masipais for the killing of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp last year (AP Photo/Herman Verwey, Pool) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Oscar Pistorius Is Sentenced For Killing Girlfriend(11 of40)
BY COURT ORDER, THIS IMAGE IS FREE TO USE. PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA - OCTOBER 21 (SOUTH AFRICA OUT): Oscar Pistorius stands as he listens to his judgement in the Pretoria High Court on October 21, 2014, in Pretoria, South Africa. Judge Thokozile Masipa handed down her sentence today. Pistorius was sentenced to five years in prison. (Photo by Herman Verwey/Foto24/Gallo Images/Getty Images) (credit:Gallo Images via Getty Images)
Oscar Pistorius Is Sentenced For Killing Girlfriend(12 of40)
BY COURT ORDER, THIS IMAGE IS FREE TO USE. PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA - OCTOBER 21 (SOUTH AFRICA OUT): Oscar Pistorius stands as he listens to his judgement in the Pretoria High Court on October 21, 2014, in Pretoria, South Africa. Judge Thokozile Masipa handed down her sentence today. Pistorius was sentenced to five years in prison. (Photo by Herman Verwey/Foto24/Gallo Images/Getty Images) (credit:Gallo Images via Getty Images)
South Africa Pistorius Trial(13 of40)
Oscar Pistorius, right, is led out of court in Pretoria, South Africa, Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2014. Pistorius received a five-year prison sentence for culpable homicide by judge Thokozile Masipais for the killing of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp last year (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
South Africa Pistorius Trial(14 of40)
Oscar Pistorius, center, gestures after he was sentenced in court in Pretoria, South Africa, Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2014. Pistorius received a five-year prison sentence for culpable homicide by judge Thokozile Masipais for the killing of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp last year (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe, Pool) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
South Africa Pistorius Trial(15 of40)
Oscar Pistorius, top center, arrives outside the court in Pretoria, South Africa, Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2014. Pistorius will finally learn his fate when judge Thokozile Masipais is expected to announce the Olympic runner's sentence for killing girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp (AP Photo/Antoine de Ras, Independent Newspapers) SOUTH AFRICA OUT (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
South Africa Pistorius Trial(16 of40)
Oscar Pistorius, center, arrives outside the court in Pretoria, South Africa, Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2014. Pistorius will finally learn his fate when judge Thokozile Masipais is expected to announce the Olympic runner's sentence for killing girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp (AP Photo/Antoine de Ras, Independent Newspapers) SOUTH AFRICA OUT (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
South Africa Pistorius Trial(17 of40)
Oscar Pistorius sits in court in Pretoria, South Africa, Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2014. Pistorius will finally learn his fate when judge Thokozile Masipais is expected to announce the Olympic runner's sentence for killing girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe, Pool) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Trial of Olympic double-amputee sprinter Oscar Pistorius(18 of40)
PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA - OCTOBER 21 : South African Paralympic athlete Oscar Pistorius (R) arrives at the High Court for sentencing in his murder trial in Pretoria on October 21, 2014. Judge Thokozile Masipa is expected to announce her sentence today in the Oscar Pistorius murder trial. (Photo by Ihsaan Haffejee/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) (credit:Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Trial of Olympic double-amputee sprinter Oscar Pistorius(19 of40)
PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA - OCTOBER 21 : South African Paralympic athlete Oscar Pistorius (2nd R) arrives at the High Court for sentencing in his murder trial in Pretoria on October 21, 2014. Judge Thokozile Masipa is expected to announce her sentence today in the Oscar Pistorius murder trial. (Photo by Ihsaan Haffejee/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) (credit:Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
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June Steenkamp, mother of Reeva Steenkamp, watches as judge Thokozile Masipais reads her judgement against South African Paralympic athlete Oscar Pistorius at the High Court in Pretoria, on October 21, 2014. Pistorius will finally learn his sentence for shooting dead his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine's Day last year, bringing an end to a gripping seven-month trial. AFP PHOTO/POOL/THEMBA HADEBE (Photo credit should read THEMBA HADEBE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:THEMBA HADEBE via Getty Images)
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Former soccer star Marc Batchelor (R) watches as South African Paralympic athlete Oscar Pistorius walks past him before the sentencing at the high court in Pretoria, on October 21, 2014. Pistorius will finally learn his sentence for shooting dead his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine's Day last year, bringing an end to a gripping seven-month trial. AFP PHOTO/POOL/THEMBA HADEBE (Photo credit should read THEMBA HADEBE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:THEMBA HADEBE via Getty Images)
Oscar Pistorius Is Sentenced For Killing Girlfriend(22 of40)
PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA - OCTOBER 21: Oscar Pistorius arrives at the North Gauteng High Court for sentencing on October 21, 2014 in Pretoria, South Africa. Pistorius will today be sentenced after been found guilty of the culpable homicide of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, after he shot Steenkamp, claiming he mistook her for an intruder. (Photo by Charlie Shoemaker/Getty Images) (credit:Charlie Shoemaker via Getty Images)
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Judge Thokozile Masipais, reads her judgement against South African Paralympic athlete Oscar Pistorius at the High Court in Pretoria, on October 21, 2014. Pistorius will finally learn his sentence for shooting dead his girlfriend on Valentine's Day last year, bringing an end to a gripping seven-month trial. AFP PHOTO/POOL/THEMBA HADEBE (Photo credit should read THEMBA HADEBE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:THEMBA HADEBE via Getty Images)
Oscar Pistorius Is Sentenced For Killing Girlfriend(24 of40)
PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA - OCTOBER21 (SOUTH AFRICA OUT): Reeva Steenkamp's mother June Steenkamp arrives at the Pretoria High Court on October 21, 2014, in Pretoria, South Africa. Judge Thokozile Masipa will hand down her sentence today in the Oscar Pistorius murder trial. She found Pistorius not guilty of murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, but convicted him of culpable homicide. (Photo by Felix Dlangamandla/Foto24/Gallo Images/Getty Images) (credit:Foto24 via Getty Images)
Oscar Pistorius Is Sentenced For Killing Girlfriend(25 of40)
PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA - OCTOBER21 (SOUTH AFRICA OUT): Reeva Steenkamp's mother June Steenkamp arrives at the Pretoria High Court on October 21, 2014, in Pretoria, South Africa. Judge Thokozile Masipa will hand down her sentence today in the Oscar Pistorius murder trial. She found Pistorius not guilty of murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, but convicted him of culpable homicide. (Photo by Felix Dlangamandla/Foto24/Gallo Images/Getty Images) (credit:Foto24 via Getty Images)
Oscar Pistorius Is Sentenced For Killing Girlfriend(26 of40)
PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA - OCTOBER21 (SOUTH AFRICA OUT): Oscar Pistorius arrives at the Pretoria High Court on October 21, 2014, in Pretoria, South Africa. Judge Thokozile Masipa will hand down her sentence today in the Oscar Pistorius murder trial. She found Pistorius not guilty of murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, but convicted him of culpable homicide. (Photo by Felix Dlangamandla/Foto24/Gallo Images/Getty Images) (credit:Foto24 via Getty Images)
Oscar Pistorius Is Sentenced For Killing Girlfriend(27 of40)
BY COURT ORDER, THIS IMAGE IS FREE TO USE. PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA - OCTOBER 21 (SOUTH AFRICA OUT): Oscar Pistorius arrives in the Pretoria High Court for sentencing in his murder trial on October 21, 2014, in Pretoria, South Africa. Judge Thokozile Masipa will hand down her sentence today in the Oscar Pistorius murder trial. She found Pistorius not guilty of murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, but convicted him of culpable homicide. (Photo by Herman Verwey/Foto24/Gallo Images/Getty Images) (credit:Pool via Getty Images)
Oscar Pistorius Is Sentenced For Killing Girlfriend(28 of40)
BY COURT ORDER, THIS IMAGE IS FREE TO USE. PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA - OCTOBER 21 (SOUTH AFRICA OUT): Oscar Pistorius greets his dad Henke Pistorius as he arrives in the Pretoria High Court on October 21, 2014, in Pretoria, South Africa. Judge Thokozile Masipa will hand down her sentence today in the Oscar Pistorius murder trial. She found Pistorius not guilty of murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, but convicted him of culpable homicide. (Photo by Herman Verwey/Foto24/Gallo Images/Getty Images) (credit:Pool via Getty Images)
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South African Paralympian athlete Oscar Pistorius's uncle Arnold and his wife Louis arrive at the High Court in Pretoria, on October 20, 2014. South African Paralympic athlete Oscar Pistorius will finally learn his sentence for shooting dead his girlfriend on Valentine's Day last year, bringing an end to a gripping seven-month trial.AFP PHOTO/STEFAN HEUNIS (Photo credit should read STEFAN HEUNIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:STEFAN HEUNIS via Getty Images)
Oscar Pistorius Is Sentenced For Killing Girlfriend(30 of40)
BY COURT ORDER, THIS IMAGE IS FREE TO USE. PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA - OCTOBER 21 (SOUTH AFRICA OUT): Oscar Pistorius arrives in the Pretoria High Court for sentencing in his murder trial on October 21, 2014, in Pretoria, South Africa. Judge Thokozile Masipa will hand down her sentence today in the Oscar Pistorius murder trial. She found Pistorius not guilty of murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, but convicted him of culpable homicide. (Photo by Herman Verwey/Foto24/Gallo Images/Getty Images) (credit:Pool via Getty Images)
Oscar Pistorius Is Sentenced For Killing Girlfriend(31 of40)
BY COURT ORDER, THIS IMAGE IS FREE TO USE. PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA - OCTOBER 21 (SOUTH AFRICA OUT): Reeva Steenkamp's parents June and Barry Steenkamp arrive in the Pretoria High Court on October 21, 2014, in Pretoria, South Africa. Judge Thokozile Masipa will hand down her sentence today in the Oscar Pistorius murder trial. She found Pistorius not guilty of murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, but convicted him of culpable homicide. (Photo by Herman Verwey/Foto24/Gallo Images/Getty Images) (credit:Pool via Getty Images)
Oscar Pistorius Is Sentenced For Killing Girlfriend(32 of40)
BY COURT ORDER, THIS IMAGE IS FREE TO USE. PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA - OCTOBER 21 (SOUTH AFRICA OUT): Oscar Pistorius speaks to a member of his defence team Brian Weber after he arrives in the Pretoria High Court on October 21, 2014, in Pretoria, South Africa. Judge Thokozile Masipa will hand down her sentence today in the Oscar Pistorius murder trial. She found Pistorius not guilty of murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, but convicted him of culpable homicide. (Photo by Herman Verwey/Foto24/Gallo Images/Getty Images) (credit:Pool via Getty Images)
SAFRICA-TRIAL-SPORT-PISTORIUS(33 of40)
South African Paralympic athlete Oscar Pistorius arrives at the High Court in Pretoria on October 21, 2014. Pistorius will finally learn his sentence for shooting dead his girlfriend on Valentine's Day last year, bringing an end to a gripping seven-month trial. AFP PHOTO/MUJAHID SAFODIEN (Photo credit should read MUJAHID SAFODIEN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:MUJAHID SAFODIEN via Getty Images)
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A supporter of South African Paralympic athlete Oscar Pistorius hold flowers as she waits outside the High Court in Pretoria on October 21, 2014. Pistorius will finally learn his sentence for shooting dead his girlfriend on Valentine's Day last year, bringing an end to a gripping seven-month trial. AFP PHOTO/STEFAN HEUNIS (Photo credit should read STEFAN HEUNIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:STEFAN HEUNIS via Getty Images)
SAFRICA-TRIAL-SPORT-PISTORIUS(35 of40)
South African Paralympic athlete Oscar Pistorius arrives at the High Court in Pretoria on October 21, 2014. Pistorius will finally learn his sentence for shooting dead his girlfriend on Valentine's Day last year, bringing an end to a gripping seven-month trial. AFP PHOTO/MUJAHID SAFODIEN (Photo credit should read MUJAHID SAFODIEN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:MUJAHID SAFODIEN via Getty Images)
SAFRICA-TRIAL-SPORT-PISTORIUS(36 of40)
South African Paralympic athlete Oscar Pistorius arrives at the High Court in Pretoria on October 21, 2014. Pistorius will finally learn his sentence for shooting dead his girlfriend on Valentine's Day last year, bringing an end to a gripping seven-month trial. AFP PHOTO/MUJAHID SAFODIEN (Photo credit should read MUJAHID SAFODIEN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:MUJAHID SAFODIEN via Getty Images)
Oscar Pistorius Is Sentenced For Killing Girlfriend(37 of40)
BY COURT ORDER, THIS IMAGE IS FREE TO USE. PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA - OCTOBER 21 (SOUTH AFRICA OUT): Oscar Pistorius arrives in the Pretoria High Court for sentencing in his murder trial on October 21, 2014, in Pretoria, South Africa. Judge Thokozile Masipa will hand down her sentence today in the Oscar Pistorius murder trial. She found Pistorius not guilty of murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, but convicted him of culpable homicide. (Photo by Herman Verwey/Foto24/Gallo Images/Getty Images) (credit:Gallo Images via Getty Images)
SAFRICA-TRIAL-SPORT-PISTORIUS(38 of40)
South African Paralympic athlete Oscar Pistorius (C) arrives at the High Court in Pretoria on October 21, 2014. Pistorius will finally learn his sentence for shooting dead his girlfriend on Valentine's Day last year, bringing an end to a gripping seven-month trial. AFP PHOTO/GIANLUIGI GUERCIA (Photo credit should read GIANLUIGI GUERCIA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:GIANLUIGI GUERCIA via Getty Images)
SAFRICA-TRIAL-SPORT-PISTORIUS(39 of40)
South African Paralympic athlete Oscar Pistorius (L) is embraced by his father Henke Pistorius as he arrives at the High Court in Pretoria on October 21, 2014. Pistorius will finally learn his sentence for shooting dead his girlfriend on Valentine's Day last year, bringing an end to a gripping seven-month trial. AFP PHOTO/POOL/Themba Hadebe (Photo credit should read THEMBA HADEBE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:THEMBA HADEBE via Getty Images)
SAFRICA-TRIAL-SPORT-PISTORIUS (40 of40)
South African Paralympic athlete Oscar Pistorius (C) arrives at the High Court in Pretoria on October 21, 2014. Pistorius will finally learn his sentence for shooting dead his girlfriend on Valentine's Day last year, bringing an end to a gripping seven-month trial. AFP PHOTO/GIANLUIGI GUERCIA (Photo credit should read GIANLUIGI GUERCIA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:GIANLUIGI GUERCIA via Getty Images)