Prosecutors to appeal Pistorius' 6-year jail sentence

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — South African prosecutors announced their intention to appeal against Oscar Pistorius' six-year jail sentence for murder on Thursday, calling it "shockingly" lenient and a decision that could bring the country's justice system into "disrepute."

The announcement prolongs the three-and-a-half year legal saga of Pistorius, the once-acclaimed double-amputee runner who fatally shot girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp at his home in 2013.

The sentence was "shockingly too lenient, and has accordingly resulted in an injustice and has the potential to bring the administration of justice into disrepute," the prosecuting authority said.

On Thursday, Pistorius family spokeswoman Anneliese Burgess said in an email to The Associated Press that they wouldn't be commenting on the prosecution's appeal.

Explaining her decision when she sentenced Pistorius two weeks ago, Judge Masipa said the former Olympic runner was a good candidate for rehabilitation, was unlikely to commit another crime, and had shown what appeared to be genuine remorse over Steenkamp's death.