Credit: PA
It could be bad news for Paralympian Oscar Pistorius as prosecutors in South Africa have announced that they will appeal the 'shockingly lenient' sentence he received for murdering his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp.
Pistorius was sentenced to six years in prison earlier this month, despite the fact that the minimum term for murder in South Africa is 15 years.
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In sentencing, high court judge Thokozile Masipa listed a number of mitigating factors, such as the fact Pistorius suffers from an anxiety disorder and depression.
However, the short sentence caused a lot of anger when it was announced, with some claiming that he was given special treatment due to his status.
Double amputee Pistorius was originally found guilty of culpable homicide after he shot and killed his Steenkamp through a closed bathroom door on Valentine's Day 2013. He served one year of that five-year term before his conviction was upgraded to murder in December.
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Pistorius has always denied that it was murder and stuck by his claim that he mistook Steenkamp for an intruder.
The National Prosecuting Authority said: "'The sentence of six years' imprisonment, in all the circumstances, is disproportionate to the crime of murder committed (and) shockingly too lenient." The Authority also announced it will file for leave to appeal on Thursday, the Metro reports.
Prosecutors also pointed out that the six years handed to Pistorius is less than half the minimum sentence.Advert
Words Claire Reid
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