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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Oscar Pistorius found guilty of culpable homicide | Oscar Pistorius found guilty of culpable homicide |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The Olympic and Paralympic athlete Oscar Pistorius has been found guilty of culpable homicide for the fatal shooting of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. | The Olympic and Paralympic athlete Oscar Pistorius has been found guilty of culpable homicide for the fatal shooting of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. |
| The guilty verdict on the manslaughter charge, a day after the judge Thokozile Masipa cleared him of murder, means Pistorius could receive anything from 15 years in prison to a suspended sentence, which would potentially allow the double amputee a chance to resurrect his sporting career. The court will resume for sentencing at a later date. | The guilty verdict on the manslaughter charge, a day after the judge Thokozile Masipa cleared him of murder, means Pistorius could receive anything from 15 years in prison to a suspended sentence, which would potentially allow the double amputee a chance to resurrect his sporting career. The court will resume for sentencing at a later date. |
| Masipa ordered Pistorius to stand as she delivered the guilty verdict. He stood ramrod with his hands folded in front of him. Steenkamp's parents, Barry and June, and other family members sat sombrely on the front row of the public gallery. | |
| After the verdict, Pistorius turned to his family while members of Steenkamp's family comforted each other. When the court adjourned, June could be seen shaking her head and Steenkamp's close friend Gina Myers broke down and wept. | |
| #Pistorius is hugged by uncle then rests his forehead against that of sister Aimee. Sombre expressions, not celebratory. | #Pistorius is hugged by uncle then rests his forehead against that of sister Aimee. Sombre expressions, not celebratory. |
| — David Smith (@SmithInAfrica) September 12, 2014 | — David Smith (@SmithInAfrica) September 12, 2014 |
| Reeva's mother June Steenkamp shaking head and hugging and comforting another family member who is visibly upset. #Pistorius | Reeva's mother June Steenkamp shaking head and hugging and comforting another family member who is visibly upset. #Pistorius |
| — David Smith (@SmithInAfrica) September 12, 2014 | — David Smith (@SmithInAfrica) September 12, 2014 |
| Masipa made it clear that that although the state did not have to prove a motive for murder, there was no evidence in front of the court to say that Pistorius wanted to kill Steenkamp. | |
| She had said on the first day of delivering her verdict that it was clear Pistorius acted unlawfully in opening fire at his home, but the evidence for the murder charge was "purely circumstantial". | She had said on the first day of delivering her verdict that it was clear Pistorius acted unlawfully in opening fire at his home, but the evidence for the murder charge was "purely circumstantial". |
| As Pistorius was convicted on the culpable homicide charge, Masipa said he had acted negligently when he shot Steenkamp. | As Pistorius was convicted on the culpable homicide charge, Masipa said he had acted negligently when he shot Steenkamp. |
| "A reasonable person, with a similar disability, would have foreseen that the person behind the door would be killed, and the accused failed to take action to avoid this," she told the court. | "A reasonable person, with a similar disability, would have foreseen that the person behind the door would be killed, and the accused failed to take action to avoid this," she told the court. |
| The Pistorius family has indicated to reporters in the courtroom that they will make a statement at some point. It is likely to be made by Arnold Pistorius, who has spoken for his nephew before. Pistorius has told the court he and his father, Henke, are estranged. | |
| #Pistorius's estranged father Henke offers a smile and comforting hand. #Pistorius seems to acknowledge it but quickly ends the encounter. | |
| — David Smith (@SmithInAfrica) September 12, 2014 | |
| South Africa's prosecuting authority said on Friday it was "disappointed" with the verdict. | |
| Asked if the Steenkamp family was disappointed by the outcome, their lawyer Dup de Bruyn said: "There's no comment at the moment." | |
| The family would give interviews to media organisations after Friday's hearing according to their present contractual arrangements, he added. | |
| Pistorius has said he mistook Steenkamp for an intruder when he shot four times through a locked bathroom door, killing her almost instantly. | Pistorius has said he mistook Steenkamp for an intruder when he shot four times through a locked bathroom door, killing her almost instantly. |
| He was also cleared on two unrelated firearms charges - of firing a firearm through a sunroof and of illegal possession of ammunition - but found guilty on a third of illegally discharging a firearm in a crowded restaurant in January 2013, weeks before Steenkamp's death. | |
| Pistorius is being held in cells at the court until the judge returns with her decision, expected later on Friday, on whether to give him bail ahead of sentencing. | Pistorius is being held in cells at the court until the judge returns with her decision, expected later on Friday, on whether to give him bail ahead of sentencing. |