Related News
Pistorius facing 15 years in prison
Print Edition
A SOUTH African judge yesterday found Oscar Pistorius guilty of culpable homicide in the shooting death of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, but declared him not guilty of murder.
Prosecutors said they were disappointed by the ruling but will decide on whether to appeal only after sentencing.
Judge Thokozile Masipa said there was not enough evidence to support the contention that Pistorius knew Steenkamp was behind a locked toilet door in his home when he shot through the door in the predawn hours of Valentine’s Day last year.
Masipa said prosecutors had not proven beyond a reasonable doubt that Pistorius intended to kill Steenkamp.
The judge ordered Pistorius, 27, to stand before she delivered the formal verdict on multiple counts against him, and said it was a unanimous verdict, meaning she and her two legal assessors agreed.
A conviction of culpable homicide, or negligent killing, carries a maximum prison sentence of 15 years.
Unlike many other times during the trial that began in March, Pistorius showed no emotion as he stood with his hands crossed in front of him. The double-amputee Olympian was hugged by relatives when the judge ordered a recess soon after announcing her verdicts.
‘Sufficient and credible evidence’
Some analysts said they understood why Pistorius was found not guilty of premeditated murder but were surprised he was not convicted of murder.
“We believe there is sufficient and credible evidence to secure a conviction” on a murder charge, said Nathi Mncube, spokesman for the National Prosecuting Authority. But any decision to appeal the ruling will come after the case is “concluded” with sentencing, he said.
The sentence for a culpable homicide conviction is at the judge’s discretion, and it can range from a suspended sentence and a fine to up to 15 years in prison. Sentencing is expected to be announced at a later date.
After the verdict, Pistorius sat with his sister Aimee on the bench where he has spent most of the six-month trial. She put an arm around his shoulders as she spoke to him.
For the first time in the trial, Pistorius left by going down the stairs that led to the cells in the Pretoria courthouse. That’s because his bail had expired.
Defense lawyer Barry Roux told the judge Pistorius should stay free on bail until sentencing because he had complied with bail conditions imposed after he killed Steenkamp.
Chief prosecutor Gerrie Nel, however, said Pistorius now had more reason to flee because he had probably hoped for an acquittal.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
