Pistorius guilty of murder, appeals court rules
  • 8 years ago
South African double amputee and Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius faces a hefty jail term after an appeals court increased his conviction from culpable homicide or manslaughter to murder Thursday.
Prosecutors had appealed his murder acquittal, arguing that trial judge Thokozile Masipa made legal errors last year when she found he was guilty of reckless killing but not murder.
Murder carries a minimum sentence of 15 years in South Africa.
Pistorius killed girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in February 2013 when he shot her four times through a locked toilet door in his bathroom.
Steenkamp, who was inside, was killed almost instantly.
Recommended