As updates on Oscar Pistorius' trial, the judge ruled out all murder charges on September 11, however stated that the South African athlete may still be guilty of culpable homicide or manslaughter.
The verdict came as a result of the judge's belief that the prosecution had failed to prove that Oscar Pistorius intentionally killed his girlfriend.
The Oscar Pistorius' murder trial began on March 3, 2014 in Pretoria. However, the trial proceedings were suspended on May 20 until June 30 to allow Oscar to undergo psychiatric evaluation to institute whether he was criminally responsible for shooting his girlfriend.
Olympian Oscar Pistorius, 27-year old reportedly shot and killed his girlfriend, South African model Reeva Steenkamp at his home in Pretoria on February 14, 2013. He admitted for shooting his girlfriend and causing her death. However, Oscar Pistorius stated that he confounded her for a possible intruder.
While the trial proceedings were adjourned, Judge Thokozile Masipa approved to request for the evaluation by Prosecutor Gerrie Nel after forensic psychiatrist Merryll Vorster attested for the defense that she had diagnosed Oscar Pistorius with generalized anxiety disorder. The trial recommenced on June 30 after the assessment reports which said that the athlete could be held criminally responsible. Judge Masipa again postponed the trial until September 11 when she will deliver her judgment.
Judge Thokozile Masipa started today's proceedings with a summary of the charges and detailed Oscar Pistorius' and the witness testimony to the court. The judge then said that the sprint runner is not guilty of murder and did not deliberately kill girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. On the other hand, Judge Masipa's conclusion proposes that she will find him guilty of culpable homicide.
Under the South African Law, Oscar Pistorius will not be found guilty of murder. As per the judge, evidence submits that the athlete sincerely believed that his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp was still in the bedroom and the person in the bathroom was an intruder. But before she vetoed the premeditated murder charge, Judge Masipa queried why Oscar Pistorius fired not just one but four shots into the bathroom before looking for his girlfriend. But she added that the purpose for shooting does not certainly mean an intention to kill.
As the judge began construing the lengthy judgment, Oscar Pistorius be seated crying. The trial for the death of his model girlfriend started six months ago, enthralling the realm with explicit details of how he disastrously shot his girlfriend.
The trial was attended by the victim's parents, Barry and June Steenkamp while Oscar Pistorius' uncle, sister and brother supported him during the hearing in the crammed courtroom.
The judgment will cover an intense trial that started in March and highlighted months of unpleasant details that made Oscar Pistorius breakdown in heaving sobs. The accused athlete was charged with premeditated murder and three other weapons charges by the prosecutors.
As per the South African Law, there is no definite sentence for a culpable homicide charge and it's up to the judge's discretion. And if the judge does not think the prosecution has proved its case, Oscar Pistorius will be not guilty and be a free man.
Judge Thokozile Masipa together with the assistance of two assessors will deliver the verdict at the High Court in Pretoria. The judge ruled out Oscar Pistorius' murder charges but will still face a culpable homicide charge for killing his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp.
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