A judge in Pretoria ruled Wednesday that South African prosecutors can appeal Oscar Pistorius' conviction, but denied the state's bid to appeal his sentence.

Prosecutors had said Pistorius' sentence of five years in prison for shooting dead his girlfriend is nowhere near enough punishment.They also want the double-amputee track star to be convicted of a more serious charge.

They had originally sought conviction on a charge of murder. Pistorius was found guilty of culpable homicide, or negligent killing, in the death of Reeva Steenkamp.Pistorius didn't attend the hearing, which began Tuesday. -- CNN