Pistorius not guilty of murder, judge to decide on culpable homicide

via Pistorius not guilty of murder, judge to decide on culpable homicide September 11, 2014

The South African judge in the Oscar Pistorius trial has cleared the athlete of charges of premeditated murder and second-degree murder.

“The state clearly has not proved beyond reasonable doubt that the accused is guilty of premeditated murder,” Thokozile Masipa said.

He can still be found guilty of culpable homicide or acquitted.

Earlier, the judge also said Mr Pistorius made a ‘”conscious decision to shoot”.

She said some witnesses in the murder trial failed to separate their own evidence from details contained in press coverage.

Judge Masipa found there was “some doubt” a woman screamed on the night of the shooting.

The Olympic and Paralympic athlete is accused of killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine’s Day last year.