Sentencing for convicted murderer Pistorius slated for June

JOHANNESBURG – South African judicial authorities say sentencing hearings for Oscar Pistorius, who murdered girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, will be held in June.

A statement released Wednesday by the office of South Africa’s chief justice says the sentencing process for the former track star will be held June 13-17 in a Pretoria court.

The statement says a previously reported April 18 date for sentencing had been “provisionally arranged” pending the outcome of the runner’s appeal of his murder conviction at South Africa’s constitutional Court.

Pistorius had argued that a lower court erred when it overturned a manslaughter conviction and declared the former Olympic athlete guilty of murder. The constitutional Court dismissed his appeal.

The minimum sentence for murder in South Africa is 15 years, though it can be reduced in some circumstances.