Pistorius gets 15 years sentence in jail for murder

A South African appeals court overturned Thursday the manslaughter verdict against Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius finding him guilty of murder and sending him back to prison to serve a 15-year sentence.
The athlete shot and killed his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in February 2013. She was frightened and locked herself in the bathroom through which he shot four times.
Pistorius is under house arrest since October after spending one year of his original five-year sentence

Read also: Prosecutors seek jail time for Pistorius

The South African Supreme Court of Appeal ruled that the lower court had not correctly applied the rule of dolus eventualis or whether Pistorius was aware that a death would likely be result of his actions.
South African law calls for a minimum 15-year sentence for murder, but local reports say judges can apply their discretion.
Barry Steenkamp, Reeva’s father, was quoted by the Independent saying his daughter “will now be able to rest.” He also said he believes justice has finally been dealt.
Judge Lorimer Leach delivered the unanimous ruling by the five-judge appeals court on Thursday in Bloemfontein, but said the matter of re-sentencing Pistorius would be left to the trial court in Pretoria.
The disgraced paralimpian’s family said in a brief statement they were analyzing with lawyers the possibility of appealing. The Constitutional Court of South Africa contemplates appeals when the person affected feels his right to a fair trial has been undermined.

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