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Oscar Pistorius verdict: Athlete out on bail until sentencing for culpable homicide | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Oscar Pistorius walked free from court today and back home with his family after he was released on bail. | |
The athlete was found guilty of culpable homicide over the shooting of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp and faces up to 15 years in prison. | |
But he will not be sentenced until the 13 October and he has been released on bail with the same conditions as throughout the hearing until that hearing. | |
Gerrie Nel, the state prosecutor, had argued that the athlete was a suicide risk and should not be freed on extended bail because he could flee the country. | |
Because the athlete now faces a lengthy prison sentence, Mr Nel said it increases the risk he will leave the country. | Because the athlete now faces a lengthy prison sentence, Mr Nel said it increases the risk he will leave the country. |
He also cited a recent nightclub fracas involving Pistorius and suggestions that the double amputee had previously been suicidal. | He also cited a recent nightclub fracas involving Pistorius and suggestions that the double amputee had previously been suicidal. |
A psychological report released in July found he had been “severely traumatised” by the events on Valentine's Day last year and needed continued treatment for post-traumatic distress disorder to avoid the risk of suicide. | A psychological report released in July found he had been “severely traumatised” by the events on Valentine's Day last year and needed continued treatment for post-traumatic distress disorder to avoid the risk of suicide. |
But Judge Thokozile Masipa said that if there were genuine concerns over Pistorius skipping bail, the state should have raised them before. | |
She had ruled on Thursday that there was insufficient proof to convict him of murdering Reeva Steenkamp but today found him guilty of culpable homicide, calling the killing “negligent”. | |
The South African equivalent of manslaughter carries a maximum 15 years in prison and Pistorius faces five more years for firing a gun in a restaurant in January 2013. | |
Pistorius has sold three of his properties, Mr Nel said, and now lives with family members. | |
But the Paralympian’s counsel, Barry Roux, said his client had complied with previous bail conditions and that there was no reason to remand him into custody ahead of sentencing. | But the Paralympian’s counsel, Barry Roux, said his client had complied with previous bail conditions and that there was no reason to remand him into custody ahead of sentencing. |
Mr Roux said the defence disputed the facts of the nightclub incident, and dismissed any suicidal thoughts his client may have. | Mr Roux said the defence disputed the facts of the nightclub incident, and dismissed any suicidal thoughts his client may have. |
Pistorius was also convicted of firing a gun in a crowded restaurant but was acquitted of another charge of discharging a firearm in a public place and possessing ammunition for an unlicensed firearm. | |
Additional reporting by PA | Additional reporting by PA |
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