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| Oscar Pistorius set to learn sentence for Reeva Steenkamp murder | Oscar Pistorius set to learn sentence for Reeva Steenkamp murder |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| South African Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius is due to be sentenced for the murder of his girlfriend in 2013. | South African Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius is due to be sentenced for the murder of his girlfriend in 2013. |
| Pistorius, 29, could face 15 years in prison after a court last December convicted him of murder. | 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. | 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 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 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". |
| Walking on stumps | Walking on stumps |
| At the court session in Pretoria on Wednesday, Pistorius faces the prospect of many more years behind bars. | 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. | 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. | |
| 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. |
| Pistorius key dates: | Pistorius key dates: |