South African judge to respond on Wednesday to request for appeal in Oscar Pistorius case

Judge Thokozile Masipa listens in court in Pretoria, South Africa, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2014, in the case against Oscar Pistorius, who was acquitted of murder for killing girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. State prosecutor, Gerrie Nel outlined his objections to the verdict and sentence against Pistorius, who was convicted of the lesser charge of culpable homicide and sentenced to a five year prison term in October by Masipa. (AP Photo/Kim Ludbrook, Pool) (The Associated Press)

State Prosecutor Gerrie Nel, argues in court in Pretoria, South Africa, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2014, in the case against Oscar Pistorius, who was acquitted of murder for killing girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. Nel outlined his objections to the verdict and sentence against Pistorius, who was convicted of the lesser charge of culpable homicide and sentenced to a five year prison term in October by Judge Thokozile Masipa. (AP Photo/Kim Ludbrook, Pool) (The Associated Press)

FILE - In this Friday, Oct. 17, 2014 file photo, Oscar Pistorius is escorted by police officers as he leaves the high court in Pretoria, South Africa. Judge Thokozile Masipa listened in court Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2014, in the appeal case against Pistorius, who was acquitted of murder for killing girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe, File) (The Associated Press)

A South African judge says she will respond to the prosecution's appeal of the Oscar Pistorius verdict on Wednesday.

Prosecutor Gerrie Nel told the Pretoria High Court that the decision to acquit Pistorius of the murder of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, should be overturned. Nel also argued that star-athlete's punishment was "shockingly inappropriate."

Pistorius' defense attorney, Barry Roux, argued against allowing the prosecution to appeal the verdict and sentence.

Judge Thokozile Masipa, who presided over the Pistorius trial, will also decide whether the case can be heard at the Supreme Court of Appeal.