The state is to appeal the six-year sentence handed down to convicted murderer Oscar Pistorius‚ saying it is too “lenient”.
It will be the second time prosecuting authorities would seek to have a decision by Pretoria High Court Judge Thokozile Masipa reviewed after they successfully petitioned the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) to overturn the culpable homicide verdict and five-year sentence she originally gave the Paralympic athlete.
"The NPA has carefully considered the sentence handed to Mr Oscar Pistorius and has decided to file an application for leave to appeal in terms of section 316(1) of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977 against the sentence imposed by Honourable Judge Masipa in the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, on 6 July 2016. The papers will be filed today, 21 July 2016," the NPA said in a statement.
"We respectfully submit that the sentence of six years imprisonment, in all the circumstances, is disproportionate to the crime of murder committed, in casu, that is to say, shockingly too lenient, and has accordingly resulted in an injustice and has the potential to bring the administration of justice into disrepute."
Pistorius shot and killed his model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine’s Day in 2013.
The SCA sent Pistorius’ case back to Masipa for her to preside over the sentencing hearing on the murder conviction.
Counsel for Pistorius‚ Barry Roux‚ indicated that the defence would not contend the ruling – despite his client maintaining his innocence on the charge of murder.
National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Bulelwa Makeke said earlier this month that it would “consider our options going forward” after prosecutor Gerrie Nel failed to secure the 15-year sentence he asked Masipa to hand down. – TMG Digital
State to appeal ‘lenient’ sentence for Pistorius
The state is to appeal the six-year sentence handed down to convicted murderer Oscar Pistorius‚ saying it is too “lenient”.
It will be the second time prosecuting authorities would seek to have a decision by Pretoria High Court Judge Thokozile Masipa reviewed after they successfully petitioned the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) to overturn the culpable homicide verdict and five-year sentence she originally gave the Paralympic athlete.
"The NPA has carefully considered the sentence handed to Mr Oscar Pistorius and has decided to file an application for leave to appeal in terms of section 316(1) of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977 against the sentence imposed by Honourable Judge Masipa in the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, on 6 July 2016. The papers will be filed today, 21 July 2016," the NPA said in a statement.
"We respectfully submit that the sentence of six years imprisonment, in all the circumstances, is disproportionate to the crime of murder committed, in casu, that is to say, shockingly too lenient, and has accordingly resulted in an injustice and has the potential to bring the administration of justice into disrepute."
Pistorius shot and killed his model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine’s Day in 2013.
The SCA sent Pistorius’ case back to Masipa for her to preside over the sentencing hearing on the murder conviction.
Counsel for Pistorius‚ Barry Roux‚ indicated that the defence would not contend the ruling – despite his client maintaining his innocence on the charge of murder.
National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Bulelwa Makeke said earlier this month that it would “consider our options going forward” after prosecutor Gerrie Nel failed to secure the 15-year sentence he asked Masipa to hand down. – TMG Digital
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