Oscar Pistorius appeal date set as lawyers attempt to get Paralympic star convicted for murder
Lawyers for the state are to put their case to five appeal judges that the one time athlete's conviction should be changed
Hearing: Oscar Pistorius could still be convicted for murder
Disgraced Paralympic star Oscar Pistorius could still be convicted of the murder his Reeva Steenkamp after a new appeal hearing was set.
South African prosecutors will argue in the nation's supreme court that the ex-athlete's conviction for killing his girlfriend Reeva on Valentine's Day 2013 should be changed from culpable homicide to murder.
Lawyers for the state will put their case forward to a panel of five judges at the court on November 3.
Read more: Oscar Pistorius 'is a frail and broken man in jail who wants to quit running when released', pal reveals
According to South African law, the judges could either reject the prosecution's appeal, order a retrial or convict Pistorius of murder themselves.
Tragic Reeva was shot dead by her lover Pistorius two years ago at the couple's home.
Getty
Dead: Reeva Steenkamp was shot four times by her boyfriend through the toilet door
She was in the toilet when the one time Blade Runner fired four shots through the door and into her after allegedly mistaking her for an intruder.
At the subsequent trial last year, Pistorius was convicted of culpable homicide, equivalent to manslaughter and sentenced to five years in prison.
During sentencing, Judge Thokozile Masipa said the state had failed to prove Pistorius intended to kill when he fired.
Prosecutors want the verdict changed to murder because, they argue, firing through the door when he knew someone was behind it meant Pistorius intended to kill, regardless of who was in the cubicle.
Caged: Pistorius is being held at the Kgosi Mampuru II prison
The state will argue that Masipa misinterpreted parts of the law and ignored important evidence. A murder conviction would result in a minimum sentence of 15 years in prison.
Pistorius was due to be released into house arrest in August after serving 10 months of his sentence.
South African Justice Minister Michael Masutha blocked his release, saying procedure had not been followed.
Masutha referred the case to a parole review board, which is expected to hold a hearing next month.
Hearing: Oscar Pistorius could still be convicted for murderDisgraced Paralympic star Oscar Pistorius could still be convicted of the murder his Reeva Steenkamp after a new appeal hearing was set.
South African prosecutors will argue in the nation's supreme court that the ex-athlete's conviction for killing his girlfriend Reeva on Valentine's Day 2013 should be changed from culpable homicide to murder.
Lawyers for the state will put their case forward to a panel of five judges at the court on November 3.
Read more: Oscar Pistorius 'is a frail and broken man in jail who wants to quit running when released', pal reveals
According to South African law, the judges could either reject the prosecution's appeal, order a retrial or convict Pistorius of murder themselves.
Tragic Reeva was shot dead by her lover Pistorius two years ago at the couple's home.
Getty
Dead: Reeva Steenkamp was shot four times by her boyfriend through the toilet doorShe was in the toilet when the one time Blade Runner fired four shots through the door and into her after allegedly mistaking her for an intruder.
At the subsequent trial last year, Pistorius was convicted of culpable homicide, equivalent to manslaughter and sentenced to five years in prison.
During sentencing, Judge Thokozile Masipa said the state had failed to prove Pistorius intended to kill when he fired.
Prosecutors want the verdict changed to murder because, they argue, firing through the door when he knew someone was behind it meant Pistorius intended to kill, regardless of who was in the cubicle.
Caged: Pistorius is being held at the Kgosi Mampuru II prisonThe state will argue that Masipa misinterpreted parts of the law and ignored important evidence. A murder conviction would result in a minimum sentence of 15 years in prison.
Pistorius was due to be released into house arrest in August after serving 10 months of his sentence.
South African Justice Minister Michael Masutha blocked his release, saying procedure had not been followed.
Masutha referred the case to a parole review board, which is expected to hold a hearing next month.
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