SAfrican judge denies appeal for harsher Pistorius sentence

Judge Thokozile Masipa, reads her verdict during the state appeal hearing at the high court in Johannesburg, South Africa,Friday, Aug. 26, 2016. The State lost it's appeal after challenging a ruling by Judge Masipa against convicted murderer Oscar Pistorius who received six years for the murder of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe/POOL) (The Associated Press)

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South African chief state prosecutor Gerrie Nel, reatcs as Judge Thokozile Masipa, reads her verdict during the state appeal hearing at the high court in Johannesburg, South Africa, Friday, Aug. 26, 2016. The State lost it's appeal challenging Masipa's six years prison sentence on Oscar Pistorius for the murder of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe/POOL) (The Associated Press)

Defense lawyer Barry Roux speaks during the state appeal against Oscar Pistorius's six year murder sentence, at the high court in Johannesburg, South Africa, Friday, Aug. 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe/Pool) (The Associated Press)

JOHANNESBURG – A South African judge dismissed an appeal by prosecutors for a harsher against Oscar Pistorius who was found guilty of murder for killing his girlfriend in 2013.

Judge Thokozile Masipa said Friday that the state's appeal to extend the six-year sentence against the 29-year-old double amputee Olympic sprinter had a limited prospect of success.

Pistorius shot Reeva Steenkamp, 29, in the early hours of February 14. He claimed he thought she was an intruder. The state charged that he shot her in anger after an argument. Pistorius was found guilty of murder and sentenced by Masipa to six years in prison.

Prosecutor Gerrie Nell said the sentence was "shockingly light" and that the judge should have used 15-year minimum as starting point.