Prosecutors begin Pistorius sentencing appeal

Prosecutors filed appeal papers yesterday against the verdict and sentence in the Oscar Pistorius case, the initial step in a process that could see the Olympic runner convicted of murder for killing girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

South Africa’s National Prosecuting Authority said it had filed for leave to appeal, which are papers filed to Judge Thokozile Masipa to request permission to appeal her decision.

Masipa acquitted Pistorius of murder for shooting Steenkamp multiple times. She instead found the double-amputee athlete guilty of a lesser charge of culpable homicide, or manslaughter.