Intro:

A South African prosecutor on Tuesday (9th December) argued for an appeal in the case against Oscar Pistorius, the Paralympian athlete who was acquitted of the murder of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

Script:

A familiar scene as Prosecutor Gerrie Nel arrives at the high court in Pretoria.

Nel met with defence lawyer, Barry Roux and Judge Masipa on Tuesday to discuss whether the state should be permitted to appeal the decision to find Oscar Pistorius not guilty of the murder of Reeva Steenkamp.

Pistorius was convicted of the lesser charge of culpable homicide and sentenced to a five-year prison term in October.

The prosecution wants the judge to grant permission for an appeal against the verdict.

Nel says the punishment for Pistorius is "shockingly inappropriate" as he may only serve ten months in prison.

Judge Masipa heard submissions from both the defence and the prosecution and the court adjourned until 7.30gmt on Wednesday.

If Masipa does agree to grant the appeal, the case will be move to South Africa’s supreme court of appeal in Bloemfontein. If she does not, the state can decide to petition that decision.