Last week, the National Prosecuting Authority in South Africa revealed their intention to file an appeal to counter the verdict and sentence given for the Oscar Pistorius trial by Judge Thozokile Masipa.
On November 4, the NPA announced that they already filed the application for leave to appeal both the conviction and sentence.
"The appeal on conviction is based on the question of law," NPA spokesman Nathi Mncube said in a statement, as reported by The Citizen. "The merits of the NPA's argument in this regard are contained in the papers that were filed with the registrar of the North Gauteng High Court today."
Mncube added, "This means that the matter is now officially sub judice and consequently the NPA will not be able to discuss the matter publicly until judgment is delivered by the court."
Pistorius was sentenced to five years in prison for the culpable homicide. He was also given a three-year suspended sentence for firing a gun at a crowded place. He will be eligible for release after 10 months to spend the remaining appointed time in house arrest.
He fatally shot his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp through their home's bathroom door on Valentines' Day last year.
Although the victim's family were disappointed that Judge Masipa cleared the Paralympian of murder, Reeva's mother, June, was still "happy with the sentence." She also thinks that five years in prison was "sufficient."
In an interview with The Guardian, June Steenkamp shared his thoughts about the Oscar Pistorius trial. She was clearly disappointed in the judge's final verdict for the case.
"I had a lot of trust in her, but I think she did make a mistake," she said.
On the other hand, the model's uncle, Michael, reportedly told AFP with regards to the NPA's plan to appeal, "If it's in the interest of society... then I think they should go forward if they think it's correct."
Mrs. Steenkamp admitted to The Guardian that Pistorius did want to talk to them at some point during the trial but she and her husband Barry "weren't ready to speak to him."
"What can he say?" She asked. "Sorry is not enough. What can he say and what would we want to talk to him about? I don't know."
It may not be now but she believes that "one day that confrontation will come. Altercation? Maybe. Violence? No, I don't think so. But that day has to come."
The prosecution is still waiting for the court's decision on their appeal for the Oscar Pistorius trial.
