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SAfrican judge denies appeal for harsher Pistorius sentence

In her ruling on Friday at the South Gauteng High Court Masipa said, “I’ve considered all the arguments for and against”.

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Prosecutor Gerrie Nel had argued that deviating from the prescribed 15-year minimum sentence for murder “induces a sense of shock”.

Pistorius has maintained that he fired four shots into the locked bathroom door in the mistaken belief that there was an intruder.

Pistorius with model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

The double amputee accepted he fired the gun but claimed he believed a burglar was hiding in the room.

“Another court may find that this court misdirected itself”, Nel said.

He said there are misdirections in the court’s findings, and he wants the potential sentence appeal heard by the Supreme Court of Appeal judges who found Pistorius guilty of murder.

While his sentence is now set at six-years, the National Prosecuting Authority can still petition the country’s Supreme Court of Appeal to rule on the matter.

On December 3 a year ago, the SCA overturned Masipa’s culpable homicide verdict and replaced it with that of murder.

Pistorius’ defence had earlier argued the state was prejudiced and had dragged the case on too long, adding in their court documents that “enough is enough”. Pistorius’ lawyer, Advocate Barry Roux, took his client’s first year in prison and house arrest into account, saying it amounted to eight years.

The athlete was escorted directly to Khosi Mampuru prison in Pretoria following his second sentencing in July.

Pistorius then reportedly received treatment in hospital for “wrist injuries” – with his brother denying that he intentionally harmed himself – last month.

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Ms. Steenkamp’s mother, June Steenkamp, watched stony-faced as Pistorius spoke.

Prosecutors' attempt to appeal against Oscar Pistorius sentence rejected