Reeva: State to appeal Pistorius verdict

South African prosecutors say they are going to appeal against the conviction and sentence given to athlete Oscar Pistorius for killing his girlfriend.

Last week, 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 appeal on conviction is based on the question of law,” the national prosecuting spokesman said.

Pistorius’ family have said that he will not appeal.

The athlete was also given a three-year suspended sentence for firing a gun in a restaurant.

Reeva Steenkamp had been going out with Pistorius for three months before the fatal shooting “The prosecutors are now preparing the necessary papers in order to be able to file within the next few days,” Nathi Mncube from the National Prosecuting Authority said in a statement.

‘Gun-toting and possessive’
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. BBC