Appeal against Pistorius verdict to be heard Dec 9

PanARMENIAN.Net - Prosecutors said their application to appeal against Oscar Pistorius' manslaughter conviction and five-year prison sentence will be heard in a South African court on Dec 9, the Associated Press reports.

The National Prosecuting Authority also said it has been informed by Pistorius' defense lawyers that they will oppose the appeal.

The NPA said Monday, Nov 10, it believes there are "reasonable prospects of a successful appeal based on a question of law."

Prosecutors say Judge Thokozile Masipa may have made an error when she found the double-amputee Olympic runner not guilty of murder for shooting girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp through a toilet cubicle door in his home. Masipa instead convicted Pistorius of a lesser charge of culpable homicide, or manslaughter.

His five-year jail sentence means he could be released after 10 months to go under house arrest.