Briefs
Pistorius sentence increased
Oscar Pistorius’ prison sentence was increased to 13 years and five months by South Africa’s Supreme Court of Appeal on Friday, a decision that more than doubled the Olympic runner’s jail term for the murder of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.
In an announcement that took a matter of minutes, Supreme Court Justice Willie Seriti said the Supreme Court upheld an appeal by prosecutors against Pistorius’ original six-year sentence for shooting Steenkamp multiple times in his home in 2013.
Prosecutors had called that six-year sentence “shockingly” lenient.
Pistorius should have been sentenced to the prescribed minimum of 15 years for murder in South Africa, Seriti said, as he delivered the verdict that was reached by a panel of five judges at the Supreme Court in the central city of Bloemfontein.
The new sentence of 13 years and five months took into account time Pistorius had already served in prison and at home under house arrest, Seriti said.
Pistorius, who turned 31 Wednesday, has served over a year of his initial six-year sentence.
Pistorius’ lawyers have just one avenue open to them if they want to challenge the new sentence handed down by the Supreme Court, and that is to appeal to the Constitutional Court, the highest court in South Africa.
Pistorius failed with an appeal to the Constitutional Court last year to challenge his murder conviction.
Bielema out
at Arkansas
Arkansas has fired coach Bret Bielema after five disappointing seasons, moments after a season-ending 48-45 loss to Missouri on Friday.
The loss left Arkansas with a 4-8 record, capping only the second losing season of Bielema’s 12-year career. It also left him with a 29-34 record in his five seasons with the Razorbacks, including 11-29 in the SEC.
It was a shockingly poor performance from a coach who led Wisconsin to three Rose Bowl appearances before being hired at Arkansas from Wisconsin after the 2012 season.
Interim athletic director Julie Cromer Peoples informed Bielema of his firing moments after Friday’s loss.
Rose leaves Cavs
Derrick Rose’s injuries may have pushed him to a breaking point.
The former league MVP, who has been trying to revive his career with the Cavaliers, left the team earlier this week to handle a personal matter. A team spokesman said Friday that Rose has been excused since Wednesday and there is no timetable for his return.
The team did not offer any other details about Rose’s absence.
ESPN reported that Rose is taking personal time “to evaluate his future in the NBA.” A team source told ESPN that Rose’s numerous injuries are “taking a toll on him mentally.”
Rose’s agent, B.J. Armstrong, did not immediately return messages from the AP seeking comment.
Texas, Smart
blow upset
After taking a 12-point lead into halftime, Texas allowed No. 1 Duke to climb back in the second half and eventually defeat the Longhorns in overtime, 85-78, in the PK80 Invitational Saturday.
At one point, Texas coach Shaka Smart, a former assistant at California University from 1999-2001, had the Longhorns ahead by 14 points over the top-ranked Blue Devils.
Duke, led by a game-high 34 points and 15 rebounds from freshman Marvin Bagley III, outscored Texas 42-30 in the second half and 12-5 in overtime.