South Africa's Supreme Court of Appeal increased the prison sentence of Oscar Pistorius from six years to 15 years on Friday morning. The Olympic sprinter, one of South Africa's most internationally renowned celebrities, shot his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp to death in their home on Valentine's Day 2013.

It's been a long legal road for Pistorius, the Steenkamps, and the people of South Africa, who have watched transfixed as the murder case against the beloved athlete has played out over the last few years. Pistorius shot Steenkamp through a bathroom door, mistaking her for an intruder—at least, that's what his defense argued. The prosecution suggested instead that the couple had fought that night, and Pistorius killed his girlfriend in a rage.

Pistorius was found guilty of culpable homicide (what would be manslaughter in the U.S.) in September 2014, but released on house arrest just over a year later. The prosecution appealed in November 2015 and he was found guilty of homicide. Murder requires a 15-year minimum sentence in South Africa, yet Pistorius was still only handed six years.

That changed today. "The sentence of six years' imprisonment is shockingly lenient to a point where it has the effect of trivialising this serious offence," prosecutors successfully argued. "The respondent displays a lack of remorse, and does not appreciate the gravity of his actions."

Through a spokesperson, the family of Reeva Steenkamp expressed relief. "They just feel that their trust in the justice system has been confirmed this morning,” rep Tania Koen said.

The court will honor time served, but that still gives Pistorius over 13 years in prison. He has the option to appeal.

Kaitlin Menza Kaitlin Menza is a freelance features writer.

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