Judge: Oscar Pistorius 'negligent' but not guilty of murder
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2014/09/11/pistorius-murder-trial-verdict/15402167/
A judge found South African athlete Oscar Pistorius not guilty of premeditated murder Thursday in the shooting death of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, but said the defendant had been "negligent," raising the prospect of a culpable homicide, or manslaughter, conviction.
Judge Thokozile Masipa, after reading a lengthy explanation of the evidence and charges, recessed the court until Friday without rendering a final verdict.
But she did tell the court that she found that Pistorius "acted too hastily and used excessive force" when he fired four times into the door of a toilet stall in his apartment, killing Steenkamp.
"It is it is clear that his conduct was negligent," she said.
The Olympic and Paralympic athlete, known as the Blade Runner for his use of specially designed prosthetic legs, was on trial for the shooting death of his 29-year-old girlfriend on Valentine's Day in 2013.
Prosecutors accused Pistorius of intentionally killing her by firing through the door of a toilet stall where, they alleged, she had taken refuge following an argument.
Pistorius claimed he thought Steenkamp was in bed and that he accidentally shot her through the bathroom door, mistakenly believing there was an intruder in his home.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2014/09/11/pistorius-murder-trial-verdict/15402167/
A judge found South African athlete Oscar Pistorius not guilty of premeditated murder Thursday in the shooting death of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, but said the defendant had been "negligent," raising the prospect of a culpable homicide, or manslaughter, conviction.
Judge Thokozile Masipa, after reading a lengthy explanation of the evidence and charges, recessed the court until Friday without rendering a final verdict.
But she did tell the court that she found that Pistorius "acted too hastily and used excessive force" when he fired four times into the door of a toilet stall in his apartment, killing Steenkamp.
"It is it is clear that his conduct was negligent," she said.
The Olympic and Paralympic athlete, known as the Blade Runner for his use of specially designed prosthetic legs, was on trial for the shooting death of his 29-year-old girlfriend on Valentine's Day in 2013.
Prosecutors accused Pistorius of intentionally killing her by firing through the door of a toilet stall where, they alleged, she had taken refuge following an argument.
Pistorius claimed he thought Steenkamp was in bed and that he accidentally shot her through the bathroom door, mistakenly believing there was an intruder in his home.
