Oscar Pistorius To Be Released On Bail As He Awaits Sentencing

Oscar Pistorius, the double-amputee sprinter who came to be known as the "Blade Runner," will be released on bail while he awaits his sentence over the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

Pistorius' legal battle has been long: Last year, a lower court convicted Pistorius of a lesser charge and sentenced him to five years in jail. Earlier this month, however, an appeals court ruled that he should have been found guilty of murder, instead. That charge, as we've reported, carries a minimum sentence of 15 years in prison.

That brings us to today, when a judge ruled that Pistorius could await his sentence while under house arrest at his uncle's home. The Guardian reports:

"Deputy judge president Audrey Ledwaba granted bail of R10,000 [$692] on condition that Pistorius remains under house arrest. 'He has proved that he is not a flight risk,' the judge said.

"Pistorius, was present in court, dressed in a dark suit and tie, remaining calm and composed throughout, and occasionally sharing a joke with his lawyers. Before court began, he had agreed to the strict conditions of his house arrest, which mostly confine him to Arnold Pistorius's mansion in Pretoria."

NBC News adds:

"Defense lawyer Roux also said Pistorius plans to appeal his conviction to the country's Constitutional Court.

"Prosecutor Gerrie Nel had argued that authorities 'feel strongly that he should not leave the house at any time.'

"He added: 'This is a serious offense ... that is why we think and we think there should be serious bail conditions.' "