Pistorius opposes prosecutor’s appeal for bigger sentence

Lawyers of South African athlete Oscar Pistorious have formally opposed the appeal by the state on the verdict handed down to the Paralympics star.

Pistorius was handed a five-year jail term for the killing of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, after the judge, Thokozile Masipa, declared him innocent of premeditated murder but guilty of charges regarding the possession and use of fire arms in public place.

On Tuesday, the prosecutors appealed the ruling by Masipa, questioning her interpretation of the law and hoping to convince another court to reach a different verdict.

Pistorious’ lawyers on Friday formally opposed the appeal, which means Judge Masipa will have to hear arguments from both sides, which will take more time than a regular appeal procedure, with no set time for the appeal hearing to take place.

Though Masipa has been largely criticised for her judgment which absolved Pistorius of premeditated murder, she insists that the prosecutors failed to convince the court that Pistorious murdered Steenkamp.

Her major critics are the legal professionals and the women’s league of the African National Congress (ANC).

Oscar Pistorious is a double amputee and the first paralympic athlete to win an Olympic medal in an able-bodied competition.