South
Africa’s government will appeal Oscar Pistorius’ six-year murder sentence
because it was “shockingly lenient’’, state prosecutors said on Thursday.
The
Paralympic gold medallist was sentenced in July for murdering his girlfriend,
Reeva Steenkamp, in 2013.
At the time, some legal experts described the prison term as lenient.
“The
sentence of six years imprisonment, in all the circumstances, is disproportionate
to the crime of murder committed, that is to say, shockingly too lenient,” the
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said.
“(The
sentence) resulted in an injustice and has the potential to bring the
administration of justice into disrepute.’’
The
jail term was less than half the 15-years sought by prosecutors, who said
Pistorius had shown no remorse for the 2013 shooting. The appeal papers will be
filed on Thursday.
A
Pistorius family spokeswoman could not be immediately reached for comment.
-Reuters/NAN
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