Oscar Pistorius conviction appeal dismissed

South Africa’s highest court has dismissed Oscar Pistorius’ appeal of his murder conviction, a lawyer said, signalling that the former track star’s long legal battle since he killed his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp may be drawing to a close.

The Constitutional Court ruling clears the way for a judge to sentence the double-amputee runner for murder at a hearing scheduled for April 18.

“We’ll proceed to the sentencing,” defence lawyer Andrew Fawcett said.