In the final hurdle to what has been a highly publicised and emotional trial, South African sprint star Oscar Pistorius has been found not guilty of murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.
He has also been cleared of common law murder but still faces charges of culpable homicide (manslaughter). If convicted, the Olympian and double-amputee could face up to 15 years behind bars.
In delivering her verdict judge Thokozile Masipa ruled out the most serious charge against him- premeditated murder.
Judge Masipa noted that while the accused was a “very poor witness,” the state had not done enough to prove that he had intentionally gunned down the law grad and bikini model through the bathroom door of his palatial property on Valentine’s Day last year.
“The evidence is purely circumstantial,’ she said.
“There is just not enough facts to support such a finding.”
For the first time in South Africa’s history, the case has been televised. And as the world watched, the 27-year-old six-time Paralympic gold medallist could be seen sobbing from inside the court room.
Dubbed the Blade Runner, Oscar appeared emotional as the verdict was read out – at times, it seemed tears were flowing. Meanwhile, Reeva Steenkamp’s family and friends – including parents June and Barry Steenkamp appeared stoic as the Judge read out her findings.
Outside Pretoria’s High Court, there were gut-wrenching scenes as Reeva’s supporters and relatives gathered with fans of the accused to hear of his fate.
Throughout the six-month trial, which garnered worldwide attention, Oscar’s lawyers claimed that their client had mistaken Ms Steenkamp, 29, for an intruder and accidentally shot her in self-defence.
During a cross examination earlier in the proceedings, Oscar was an emotional wreck as he denied intentionally killing his girlfriend, a 29-year-old whom he began dating in November 2012.
Oscar told the court that in a country notorious for its high crime rate, he was terrified when he heard noises coming from the toilet cubical inside his high-security home and pulled the trigger thinking it was an intruder.
At the time of the shooting, Oscar claims he believed Ms Steenkamp was still in bed.
“I don’t know how she got up out of bed, I was in close proximity to her, but I didn’t see her get out of bed … It was pitch black and she was behind me so it’s not strange at all,” he said.
However, the state’s prosecutors were far from convinced and argued that Ms Steenkamp – a reality TV star whose career was starting to take off – lived in fear of her jealous boyfriend who had a shortfuse and an obsession with guns.
They went on to allege that the pair had a heated argument on that fateful night and that, in a fit of rage, Oscar shot through the closed door with intent to kill his girlfriend who wascowering inside.
Once considered South Africa’s golden boy, the champion sportsperson has always maintained his innocence.
Full verdict to come.
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