Africa News

Pistorius Guilty Of Homicide For Killing Girlfriend

Double amputee sprint runner, Oscar Pistorius, was found guilty on Friday of culpable homicide, the South African equivalent of manslaughter, after being acquitted of murder charges for killing her girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

Judge Thokozile Matilda Masipa allowed Pistorius to extend his bail until October 13 when his sentencing hearing begins,says the The New York Times. Masipa dismissed speculations that the athlete would attempt to flee the country.

The verdict has put an end to the drama that gripped the nation and the world after Pistorius, killed model and law graduate Reeva Steenkamp on Valentines Day last year in the belief that she was an intruder. Pistorius once prevailed in the Paralympics and Olympics.

Using a 9mm handgun, he continuously fired in a locked bathroom in his Pretoria home, only to find out when he opened the door with a bat that it was Steenkamp who was inside.

Pistorius maintained that her death was an accident, a mistake.

The maximum penalty for culpable homicide in South Africa is 15 years, but an average sentence is five to eight years, CNN reported.

Yesterday, Masipa acquitted Pistorius of the murder charges saying that the prosecution failed to prove he has intentions to kill Steenkamp.

After the shooting, Pistorius immediately called for help, prayed, and tried to resuscitate his girlfriend, a behavior “inconsistent” to that of someone who has plans of murder, the judge said.

[quote text_size=”small” author=”– Judge Thokozile Masipa “]

It cannot be said that the accused did not entertain a genuine belief that there was an intruder in the house,

[/quote]

However, she criticized Pistorius’ negligence and excessive use of force.

Pistorious was also acquitted of two of three gun-related charges:  a car sunroof shooting incident and illegal possession of ammunition found at his house.

He was found guilty of a charge which involves a shooting inside a restaurant.

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