Oscar Pistorius' lawyers have formally opposed an appeal by
the state against the South African athlete's culpable homicide verdict and
five-year jail sentence handed down last month, prosecutors said on Friday.
Pistorius was sentenced in the negligent killing of his
girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp after the state failed to convince judge Thokozile
Masipa that he intended to kill when he fired shots through a locked toilet
door at his luxury Pretoria home.
Prosecutors appealed the ruling on Tuesday, challenging the
Masipa's interpretation of the law. They need to convince her another court
could reach a different verdict.
The decision by Pistorius' team to oppose the appeal means
Judge Masipa will have to hear arguments from both sides, which will take more
time than a regular appeal procedure. She has not said when the appeal hearing
will take place.
Pistorius' lawyers did not immediately respond to a request
for comment.
South African prosecutors told Talk Radio 702 on Friday they
had received documents from Pistorius' lawyers giving notice of their intention
to oppose the state's appeal.
Via.Reuters
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