The Oscar Pistorious saga: prosecution begins appeal against sentence

It seems this case is not going to bed anytime as the Prosecution have began their case to push for a harsher sentence for ‘The Blade Runner’ Oscar Pistorius.

Pistorius was sentenced to five years in prison after being convicted of culpable homicide rather than the higher murder charge; in the case of the Valentine Day’s shooting of his then girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

Judge Thokozile Masipa, who heard the original trial is also the one presiding the appeal hearing; pursuant to South African law where the original judge has to rule on the merits or otherwise of the appeal.

Thus the prosecution has to convince her that her interpretation of elements of the case were suspect, particularly in relation to the intent of Pistorius which was the main determinant in ruling out the murder charge.

The CNN report on the appeal notes Masipa would decide whether an appeal is merited, which would then be heard by the Bloemfontein Supreme Court with the possibility of imposing a harsher sentence. If not, Masipa might pronounce a lighter sentence on Pistorius.

Pistorius is currently serving his five year sentence, and under South African law should be eligible for correctional supervision (house arrest) sometime within the next nine months; providing the sentence remains the same despite the appeal.

source:

ghanacelebrities.com