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Oscar Pistorius verdict: Steenkamp family protest | |
(35 minutes later) | |
The parents of Reeva Steenkamp say "justice was not served" after South African athlete Oscar Pistorius was acquitted of murdering their daughter. | The parents of Reeva Steenkamp say "justice was not served" after South African athlete Oscar Pistorius was acquitted of murdering their daughter. |
June and Barry Steenkamp told NBC News of their "disbelief" that the court had believed Pistorius's version of events. | June and Barry Steenkamp told NBC News of their "disbelief" that the court had believed Pistorius's version of events. |
Judge Thokozile Masipa found him guilty of the lesser charge of culpable homicide, saying the state had failed to prove he intended to kill. | Judge Thokozile Masipa found him guilty of the lesser charge of culpable homicide, saying the state had failed to prove he intended to kill. |
Pistorius has been allowed bail ahead of sentencing on 13 October. | Pistorius has been allowed bail ahead of sentencing on 13 October. |
Judge Masipa said the athlete had acted "negligently" when he shot his girlfriend through a toilet door, but in the "belief that there was an intruder". | |
The Paralympic sprinter had strenuously denied murdering Ms Steenkamp after a row on Valentine's Day last year, saying he shot her by mistake. | |
But in the interview with NBC, June Steenkamp said: "This verdict is not justice for Reeva. | |
"I just want the truth. He shot through the door and I can't believe that they believe it was an accident." | |
Earlier, Arnold Pistorius, the athlete's uncle, said the family was "deeply grateful" to the judge for finding him not guilty of murder and that a "big burden" had been lifted. | |
"There are no victors in this," he added. "We as a family remain deeply affected by the devastating, tragic event... It won't bring Reeva back but our hearts still go out for her family and friends." | |
South Africa's prosecuting authority said it was "disappointed" that Pistorius was not convicted of murder but said it would wait until after sentencing to decide whether to appeal. | |
Pistorius faces up to 15 years in jail, although the judge could suspend the sentence or only impose a fine. | |
The athlete was also found guilty on a charge of negligently handling a firearm that went off in a restaurant. | |
He was acquitted of another charge of firing a gun in public, through the sunroof of a car, and of a charge of illegal possession of ammunition in the home where he killed Ms Steenkamp. |