South African Judge Approves Pistorius Appeal

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — A South African judge has ruled that prosecutors can appeal the acquittal on murder charges of Oscar Pistorius, who was convicted of culpable homicide in the death of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

Judge Thokozile Masipa announced the ruling in a Pretoria court on Wednesday.

In October, Masipa convicted Pistorius of culpable homicide and sentenced him to a five-year prison term. He could be released from prison to be held under house arrest after 10 months.

Pistorius fatally shot Steenkamp in his home on Valentine's Day last year. He said he thought a dangerous intruder was in the house; prosecutors allege he killed his girlfriend after an argument.

(Story by: Christopher Torchia, The Associated Press)