By Peyton Sawyer

Judge Thokozile Masipa has ruled on Wednesday, December 10, that prosecutors can appeal against the culpable homicide conviction she gave in Oscar Pistorius trial.

The South African judge ruled that prosecutors can now appeal against the acquittal on murder charges of Paralympic athlete Oscar Pistorius.

Pistorius was accused of shooting his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, on Valentine’s day, in 2013.

Masipa, however, ruled that the prosecutors cannot appeal the five-year sentence given for the lesser charge of culpable homicide.

Pistorius’ lawyers had initially opposed the appeal request, but the case will now go before South Africa’s Supreme Court of appeal.

The double amputee was jailed for five years in October for killing his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp.

Ada Igboanugo