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Oscar Pistorius trial live: Athlete 'not guilty of murder' of Reeva Steenkamp Oscar Pistorius trial live: Athlete 'not guilty of murder'
(35 minutes later)
Welcome to The Independent’s live blog on the trial of Oscar Pistorius. Today, the South African athlete has returned to court to discover the verdict over the death of Reeva Steenkamp. South African Paralympian Oscar Pistorius has returned to court today to await his fate over the death of Reeva Steenkamp. These are the main events from Pretoria:
Judge Thokozile Masipa has already said the 27-year-old double-amputee Paralympian cannot be found guilty of murder. Judge Thokozile Masipa has said the 27-year-old double-amputee Paralympian cannot be found guilty of murder.
The athlete shot and fatally wounded his girlfriend, 29-year-old Ms Steenkamp, through a locked toilet door in his home in Pretoria in the early hours of Valentine’s Day, 2013. The athlete could still be found guilty of culpable homicide, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years.
However, he could still be convicted of culpable homicide, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. Judge Masipa said Pistorius made a "conscious decision" to pick up a gun and knew the difference between right and wrong.
She also questioned the reliability of witnesses who say they heard screams and gunshots the night Ms Steenkamp was killed.
He still faces three other unrelated charges – two for firing a gun in a public space, and one for illegally possessing ammunition.
The court has been adjourned until 9.30am tomorrow.
 
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The Blade Runner also faces three other unrelated charges – two for firing a gun in a public space, and one for illegally possessing ammunition.
Judge Masipa will scrutinise evidence given by 37 witnesses during the case. The verdict on whether Pistorius intentionally killed Ms Steenkamp is expected to take hours, but could run in to days.Judge Masipa will scrutinise evidence given by 37 witnesses during the case. The verdict on whether Pistorius intentionally killed Ms Steenkamp is expected to take hours, but could run in to days.
If there is a conviction, a second trial will begin with the prosecutors and defence will have the chance to present further witnesses – from family members to psychiatrists – before Judge Masipa decides if and how long Pistorius goes to prison.If there is a conviction, a second trial will begin with the prosecutors and defence will have the chance to present further witnesses – from family members to psychiatrists – before Judge Masipa decides if and how long Pistorius goes to prison.