Oscar Pistorius kept a stoic manner when he was sentenced to five years in prison for culpable homicide of his supermodel girlfriend, Reena Keenstamp. However, he may have to face murder charges again after the National Prosecuting Authority has successfully appealed his sentence.

For the former Paralympic and Olympic athlete, the next five years will no longer be spent competing. Pistorius was charged with negligent killing of his girlfriend, law graduate and model Reena Keenstamp. In South Africa, the charge for unintentional murder is called culpable homicide.

Pistorius told CNN he had accepted his sentence and is fine with his imprisonment. The Keenstamp family also expressed their acceptance of the sentence.

“The family is satisfied. They are glad that it is over and are satisfied that justice has been done.” Dup De Bruyn said, the lawyer of the Steenkamp family.

In South Africa, an appeal against a verdict by the state is strictly limited to a matter of law and not new evidence of a retrial. However, if prosecutors can convict Pistorius of murder, he could face at least 15 years for murder in South Africa. With this successful appeal, prosecutors hope to convict Pistorious of a more serious sentence than the one described as “shockingly light”.

“No one who’s been close to the situation can just overcome it,” Aimee Pistorius, his sister said. “It’s something my brother will carry with him forever and … regardless of what’s happening now, it’s just a certain phase in a journey that will never end.”

The International Olympic Committee expressed its condolences for the family of Steenkamp and Pistorius.

”We take note of the court’s decision. This is a human tragedy for the family of Reeva Steenkamp and also for Oscar Pistorius. We hope very much that time will bring comfort to all those concerned but at this stage we have no further comment to make,” the IOC said in a written statement to CNN.

Prosecution’s main argument is that Judge Thokozile Masipa who sentenced Pistorius misinterpreted the definition of intent and delivered anindequate sentence. Prosecutor Gerrie Nel called is seeking a sentence of at least ten years.

FSA Connection Questions:

1. In the article, what does the word ‘stoic’ mean?
2. Select one sentence that best summarizes the article.
3. What did the International Olympic Committee say about the sentence?
4. What was Pistorius sentence before the appeal?
5. What is the prosection’s main argument?