SAfrican judge denies appeal for harsher Pistorius sentence

SAfrican judge denies appeal for harsher Pistorius sentence

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 5:53 p.m. ET

JOHANNESBURG (AP) A South African judge dismissed an appeal by prosecutors for a harsher against Oscar Pistorius who was found guilty of murder for killing his girlfriend in 2013.

Judge Thokozile Masipa said Friday that the state's appeal to extend the six-year sentence against the 29-year-old double amputee Olympic sprinter had a limited prospect of success.

Pistorius shot Reeva Steenkamp, 29, in the early hours of February 14. He claimed he thought she was an intruder. The state charged that he shot her in anger after an argument. Pistorius was found guilty of murder and sentenced by Masipa to six years in prison.

Prosecutor Gerrie Nell said the sentence was ''shockingly light'' and that the judge should have used 15-year minimum as starting point.

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