Oscar Pistorius Trial: Judge Thokozile Masipa Grants Prosecution Appeal Over Her Verdict, But Not The Sentence [VIDEO]
Oscar Pistorius fatally shot his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp last Valentine's Day and is currently serving time for culpable homicide, but it was ruled today that the State could appeal against the acquittal on murder charges.
Oscar Pistorius Could Potentially Get Convicted Of Murder
On Wednesday, BBC News reported that Judge Thokozile Masipa ruled that the prosecutors could appeal against her verdict of clearing murder charges against the Olympian and convicting him of culpable homicide instead.
The Guardian reported on Wednesday that Judge Masipa said, "I cannot say ... that the prospect of success at the supreme court of appeal is remote. The application therefore in respect of count one is decided in favour of the applicant."
It was also said by the judge that the prosecution cannot challenge the five-year sentence Pistorius was given.
BBC News further reported that the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) will now decide if the principles of law were applied correctly.
A panel of up to five judges has the power to overturn Judge Masipa's conviction as well as rule on a minimum sentence, which in the case of murder would be 15 years in prison.
The appeal is likely to be heard next year.
BBC News reported by way of AFP news agency that Pistorius' father Henke Pistorius said it "should not have gone this far."
He also was quoted calling his son strong. "Oscar is strong, he has to be strong, he grew up like that. There's lots of things in life, especially for a man like him that is… not fair," he said.
