South African Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius is
due to be sentenced for the murder of his
Pistorius, 29, could face 15 years in prison after
a court last December convicted him of murder.
The ruling came after the state appealed against
a manslaughter verdict, for which Pistorius has
served nine months of a five-year sentence.
Pistorius shot Reeva Steenkamp four times
through a locked toilet door in February 2013.
Pistorius is a six-time Paralympic gold medallist
whose legs were amputated below the knee as a
baby. He made history by becoming the first
amputee sprinter to compete at the Olympics, in
2012 in London, running on prosthetic "blades".
Pistorius, a fallen idol
My friend Reeva Steenkamp
Relief and tears after murder verdict
Walking on stumps
At the court session in Pretoria on Wednesday,
Pistorius faces the prospect of many more years
behind bars.
Murder carries a 15-year minimum jail term in
South Africa. Judge Thokozile Masipa will have
to consider whether there are compelling
reasons for deviating from the prescribed
sentence.
However, the sentence may not bring an end to
the drawn-out case as both the prosecution and
defence have the right to appeal it.
Last month during a dramatic pre-sentencing
hearing, the double amputee was asked by his
own defence team to remove his prosthetic legs
and walk around the courtroom.
His unsteady gait sought to remind the judge of
his vulnerability, which could be a mitigating
factor.
The judge may also take into consideration his
sense of remorse, the BBC's Karen Allen in
Pretoria reports.
However, the athlete's critics have cast doubt on
this, our correspondent adds.
They argue that a TV interview with Pistorius
broadcast just two weeks ago is an aggravating
factor. They claim it showed poor judgement and
was an insult to the court and Reeva
Steenkamp's grieving family.
BBC news
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