South African prosecutors were on Wednesday given the go ahead to appeal the culpable homicide verdict given to Paralympic athlete, Oscar Pistorius for the killing of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp.
The prosecuting team would now seek a murder conviction. If convicted of murder, Pistorius would be open to a prison sentence of at least 15 years.
Judge Thokozile Masipa, who granted the appeal said, “I cannot say the prospect of success at the Supreme Court is remote.”
The athlete is presently serving prison time after being convicted in October for culpable homicide after a seven-month trial.
He admitted killing Steenkamp on February 14, 2013, by shooting into the locked door of a toilet cubicle. He however maintained that he mistook her for a burglar.
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