This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-29895786

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Oscar Pistorius trial: Prosecutors file appeal Pistorius prosecutors challenge 'shockingly light' sentence
(about 3 hours later)
State prosecutors in South Africa have filed an appeal against the conviction and sentence given to athlete Oscar Pistorius for killing his girlfriend. South Africa's prosecutors have filed an appeal against the "shockingly light" sentence given to athlete Oscar Pistorius, court papers show.
Last month, Pistorius began serving a five year prison sentence for the culpable homicide of Reeva Steenkamp, although he could be out in 10 months.Last month, Pistorius began serving a five year prison sentence for the culpable homicide of Reeva Steenkamp, although he could be out in 10 months.
The double-amputee Olympic sprinter was cleared of murder. The sentence failed to consider the "horrendous manner" in which Ms Steenkamp was killed, prosecutors said.
"The appeal on conviction is based on the question of law," the National Prosecuting Authority spokesman said. Prosecutors are also appealing against Pistorius' murder acquittal.
NPA spokesman Nathi Mncube said the state's appeal papers had been filed with the registrar of the North Gauteng High Court. The double-amputee Olympic sprinter was charged by the prosecution with the pre-meditated murder of Ms Steenkamp, a model and law graduate.
"This means that the matter is now officially sub judice and consequently the NPA will not be able to discuss the matter publicly until judgment is delivered by the court," he said in a statement. He was acquitted of this and the lesser murder charge of dolus eventualis by High Court Judge Thokozile Masipa on 21 October.
No further details have been given to explain the grounds for the appeal.
Pistorius is currently serving his sentence in the hospital section of Pretoria's Kgosi Mampuru II jail.
He can apply to serve the rest of his sentence under house arrest after 10 months in prison.
After the verdict, Pistorius's family said that he would not appeal.
Pistorius was charged by the prosecution with the pre-meditated murder of Ms Steenkamp, a model and law graduate.
He was acquitted of this and the lesser murder charge of dolus eventualis.
In South African law, this charge - also known as common-law murder - applies if the accused knew they might kill someone but still went ahead with their course of action.In South African law, this charge - also known as common-law murder - applies if the accused knew they might kill someone but still went ahead with their course of action.
'Gruesome'
"The appeal on conviction is based on the question of law," said National Prosecuting Authority spokesman Nathi Mncube in a statement.
In papers filed with the North Gauteng High Court and published by South Africa's Eyewitness News on its website, prosecutor Gerrie Nel said Judge Masipa "erred in over-emphasising the personal circumstances of the accused and the fact that the accused was suffering from post-traumatic stress, was anxious and 'seems remorseful'.
"Not enough emphasis was placed on the horrendous manner in which the deceased died coupled with the gruesome injuries she sustained when the accused shot and killed her," he said.
Pistorius' sentence was "shockingly light, inappropriate and would no have been imposed by any reasonable court", Mr Nel added.
Ms Steenkamp died after Pistorius fired four shots through a door at his upmarket home in the capital, Pretoria, in the early hours of Valentine's Day last year, fearing there was an intruder in the house.
The athlete was also given a three-year suspended sentence for firing a gun in a restaurant.The athlete was also given a three-year suspended sentence for firing a gun in a restaurant.
The BBC's Pumza Fihlani, who followed the athlete's trial, says the prosecution's grounds for appeal may lie with how the judge interpreted dolus eventualis. The prosecution had called for him to be given the maximum 15-year sentence for culpable homicide, or manslaughter.
The judge's critics have argued that dolus eventualis includes the possibility of meaning to kill one person and ending up killing another, our correspondent says. Pistorius is currently serving his sentence in the hospital section of Pretoria's Kgosi Mampuru II jail.
Pistorius says he shot dead Ms Steenkamp in the early hours of Valentine's Day last year by mistake, fearing there was an intruder in the house. He can apply to serve the rest of his sentence under house arrest after 10 months in prison.
After the verdict, his family said that he would not appeal.
Inside Oscar Pistorius's homeInside Oscar Pistorius's home
3D animation of the apartment3D animation of the apartment