Back in September of 2014 millions were outraged when Olympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius was found guilty of culpable homicide in the death of his girlfriend, model Reeva Steenkamp.
The charge is the South African equivalent of manslaughter, and the verdict essentially absolved Pistorius of the crime of knowingly murdering Steenkamp while she hid in the bathroom of his home, fearing for her life.
Culpable homicide carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, and Pistorius was released in October after serving less than 12 months.
Today, however, a South African appeals court overturned a lower court’s ruling and found Pistorius guilty of homicide.
The 29-year-old Olympian will now be headed back to prison for a minimum sentence of 15 years.
“This case involves a human tragedy of Shakespearean proportions,” Judge Eric Leach said while announcing the court’s verdict.
“A young man overcomes huge physical disabilities to reach Olympic heights as an athlete; in doing so he becomes an international celebrity; he meets a young woman of great natural beauty and a successful model; romance blossoms; and then, ironically on Valentine’s Day, all is destroyed when he takes her life.”
Lawyers for Pistorius will appeal the decision, but it seems almost certain that Pistorius will be headed back to prison.
No date has been set for Pistorius’ sentencing hearing, and he will reportedly remain under house arrest until then.