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South African judge discusses Pistorius appeal

Defence attorney, Barry Roux puts forward his arguments in court in Pretoria, South Africa, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2014, in the case for Oscar Pistorius, who was acquitted of murder for killing girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. Judge Thokozile Matsipa found Pistorius guilty of the lesser charge of culpable homicide and sentenced him to a five year prison term in October. The state is opposing the finding and sentence. (AP Photo/Kim Ludbrook, Pool) Defence attorney, Barry Roux puts forward his arguments in court in Pretoria, South Africa, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2014, in the case for Oscar Pistorius, who was acquitted of murder for killing girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. Judge Thokozile Matsipa found Pistorius guilty of the lesser charge of culpable homicide and sentenced him to a five year prison term in October. The state is opposing the finding and sentence. (AP Photo/Kim Ludbrook, Pool)

By Associated Press December 10, 2014 1 min read

JOHANNESBURG (AP) – A South African judge on Wednesday responded to arguments on whether to allow prosecutors in the Oscar Pistorius case to appeal her verdict and sentence on the Olympic runner, who was acquitted of the murder of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

Judge Thokozile Masipa was explaining her reasoning in a Pretoria court ahead of an expected announcement on whether she will allow the appeal.

In October, Masipa convicted Pistorius of the lesser charge of culpable homicide and sentenced him to a five-year prison term. He could be released from prison to be held under house arrest after 10 months.

Pistorius fatally shot Steenkamp in his home on Valentine’s Day last year. He said he thought a dangerous intruder was in the house; prosecutors allege he killed his girlfriend after an argument.