Prosecutors seek murder charge for Pistorius
PRETORIA: South African state prosecutors yesterday argued in court for Oscar Pistorius ( pix) to be convicted of murder and sent back to jail, two weeks after he was released on house arrest.
The disgraced Paralympic sprinter was found guilty last year of culpable homicide – a charge equivalent to manslaughter – after shooting dead his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine’s Day in 2013.
At the Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein, state prosecutors tried to convince judges that Pistorius should be found guilty of murder and sentenced to a minimum of 15 years.
He was released on Oct 19, just a year into his five-year term, to spend the remainder of his sentence at his uncle’s mansion.
Pistorius, 28, said he thought there was an intruder in his house when he blasted four bullets through the toilet door of his bedroom, killing Steenkamp.
Prosecutor Gerrie Nel began his case, arguing that Pistorius intentionally meant to kill whoever was behind the door.
The state lawyers have described the sentence as “shockingly light, inappropriate” and said “not enough emphasis was placed on the horrendous manner” in which Steenkamp died.
A panel of five judges will hear the arguments from the state and defence, with the proceedings scheduled to last one day.
The judges are then expected to announce a future date to deliver their ruling.
“I’m here to support Gerrie Nel and the team,” said Reeva’s mother June Steenkamp, sitting in court.
Pistorius, who has not been seen in public since his release, did not attend the hearing. – AFP