Judge Thokozile Masipa has ruled Oscar Pistorius guilty of culpable homicide (comparable to “manslaughter” in the US) after he shot and killed his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp last year.
Yesterday, to the shock of the world, Pistorius was found not guilty of both premeditated murder and second-degree murder. However, he has been found guilty of unintentionally killing Steenkamp.
Judge Masipa, in the reading of her verdict, stated:
The conduct of the accused shortly after the incident is inconsistent with the conduct of someone who had intention to commit murder. He acted promptly in seeking help soon after the incident. He shouted for help. He called a friend, he called 911, he called security although he could not speak as he was crying. He prayed to God to save the deceased’s life. He was seen trying to resuscitate the deceased. And he pleaded with Doctor Stipp to help and he was distraught. From the above, it cannot be said that the accused did not entertain a genuine belief that there was an intruder in the toilet who posed a threat to him. Therefore, he could not be found guilty of murder dolus directus, and he cannot be found guilty of murder dolus eventulis either, it could not be said that he saw that either the deceased or anyone else for that matter might be killed when he fired the shots at the toilet door
Before he can be sentenced, Pistorius will have his case outlined by Judge Masipa and various other legal professionals who will come to a suitable conclusion of what his sentence will be. Sentencing is scheduled to begin on October 13.
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