Oscar Pistorius found “NOT GUILTY” of murder in shooting death of Reeva Steenkamp.
The judge in Oscar Pistorius' murder trial appeared to be heading for a culpable homicide finding after ruling out both both premeditated murder and murder verdicts in the shooting death of the double-amputee Olympic athlete's girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp.
Judge Thokozile Masipa said prosecutors have not proved beyond a reasonable doubt that Pistorius, 27, was guilty of premeditated murder. "Culpable homicide is a competent verdict," the judge said.
The judge did not deliver any formal verdicts in the shooting death of Pistorius' 29-year-old girlfriend before calling for a lunch break in the proceedings.
Culpable homicide in legalese is a negligent killing.
If Pistorius is formally acquitted of murder, he could still be sent to jail for years if found guilty of negligence, AP reported.
Pistorius has admitted firing the four shots that killed Steenkamp on Valentine's Day last year. The prosecution contended the parfalympian killed her in a fit of rage after an argument.
Judge Masipa moved quickly through her judgement, rejecting state evidence that pointed to an argument between the couple. "Neither the evidence of the loving relationship or a relationship turned sour can assist this court to determine whether the accused had the requisite intention to kill the deceased," she said.
The judge also reviewed evidence by neighbors who testified of hearing shots and screams, saying many "had their facts wrong".
She said huge media coverage of the case could have affected some witnesses.
"I am of the view that they failed to separate what they knew personally or what they heard from other people or what they gathered from the media," she said.
But Masipa also stated Pistorius was "evasive" on the stand, and that his evidence showed "a number of defenses, or apparent defenses".
"The accused was a very poor witness," she said.
