South African Paralympian Pistorius found guilty of culpable homicide
Sports |
The athlete was facing four charges, including that of murdering his model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp at his home in Pretoria on Valentine's Day of last year.
South Africa's internationally-recognized Paralympian Oscar Pistorius has been found guilty of culpable homicide in the death of his girlfriend.
"Mr. Pistorius please stand up," judge Thokozile Masipa said before delivering her verdict in the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria on Friday.
The Judge ruled that Pistorius was not guilty of murder, but instead guilty of culpable homicide. She also said that the double amputee Paralympian was guilty of discharging a shot inside a restaurant.
Pistorius, however, was not found guilty of illegal possession of ammunition as well as that of firing a shot in the open roof of a vehicle while on the road.
"You may take a seat Mr. Pistorius," the judge told the athlete after her ruling.
Pistorius, dubbed as "blade runner", now faces a jail sentence of up to 15 years.
The trial in this high-profile case had been ongoing for six months and has seen 37 witnesses testify in the dock.
The ruling, however, has created mixed reactions among South Africans, who believe that the Judge was lenient or made an error of law.
The court has adjourned for a break. The judge will return to decide her sentencing and whether she will grant the athlete bail or not.
"Mr. Pistorius please stand up," judge Thokozile Masipa said before delivering her verdict in the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria on Friday.
The Judge ruled that Pistorius was not guilty of murder, but instead guilty of culpable homicide. She also said that the double amputee Paralympian was guilty of discharging a shot inside a restaurant.
Pistorius, however, was not found guilty of illegal possession of ammunition as well as that of firing a shot in the open roof of a vehicle while on the road.
"You may take a seat Mr. Pistorius," the judge told the athlete after her ruling.
Pistorius, dubbed as "blade runner", now faces a jail sentence of up to 15 years.
The trial in this high-profile case had been ongoing for six months and has seen 37 witnesses testify in the dock.
The ruling, however, has created mixed reactions among South Africans, who believe that the Judge was lenient or made an error of law.
The court has adjourned for a break. The judge will return to decide her sentencing and whether she will grant the athlete bail or not.
