Oscar Pistorius' Lawyers Challenging Judge's Ruling On Murder Case Appeal; NPA Already In Receipt Of Appeal Notice

The lawyers handling Oscar Pistorius murder case have challenged the prosecutor's petition to appeal Judge Thokozile Masipa's culpable homicide ruling. The defense already notified the National Prosecuting Authority of its intent to fight the plea.

"They have received the notice with the given date of March 13," NPA spokesperson Velekhaya Mgobhozi said per News 24. "The NPA will be in court on March 13."

State prosecutors earlier filed for documents requesting a much harsher sentence after the judge on the Oscar Pistorius murder case only handed him five years in prison for culpable homicide, and the "Blade Runner" could be out much earlier counting the days he already served, as well as credits for good behavior.

South Africa's justice system allows prosecutors to request an appeal from the judge if they feel that it would have another outcome if another judge had handled the case. In this case, the NPA believed that the judge might have been too lenient in the Oscar Pistorius murder case sentence owing to his physical disability and psychological condition.

An earlier report from ABC News revealed that the NPA has asked permission from Judge Thokozile Masipa to appeal her decision on Oscar Pistorius' verdict.

In a statement, NPA spokesperson Nathi Mncube said: "Today, we announce that the NPA filed the application for leave to appeal both the conviction and sentence. The appeal on conviction is based on the question of law."

Judge Masipa approved the petition.

BBC said that on 13 March, the lawyers for Oscar Pistorius in his murder trial "will appear before Judge Masipa and intend to cite previous cases to back their argument that the appeal should not be allowed."

Prosecutor Gerrie Nel in his closing argument during the murder trial said that Oscar Pistorius should be jailed for at least 10 years for shooting to death his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

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