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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsOscar Pistorius will not be found guilty of murder.
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/oscar-pistorius-will-not-be-found-guilty-of-murder-104616981.htmlOscar Pistorius has been found not guilty of murdering Reeva Steenkamp.
The stunning development was revealed as Judge Thokozile Masipa read her summation of the evidence Thursday in front of a packed courthouse in Pretoria, South Africa, and a worldwide television audience.
Masipa has yet to hand down her final decision, which will come Friday. She did reveal in the waning moments of Thursday's summation that she determined Pistorious to have been "negligent," which means he could still be found guilty of culpable homicide, a conviction that comes with a maximum of 15 years in prison but carries no mandatory jail sentence.
"He acted too hastily and used excessive force," Masipa said.
Pistorius also faces gun charges that carry potential prison sentences.
Oscar Pistorius reacts during judgment at the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria. (REUTERS)
But a murder charge is out, for the time being anyway. The prosecution can appeal the decision and, if they do, Pistorius could still be convicted of murder, according to legal experts contacted by Yahoo Sports.
All along, the prosecution pressed for a conviction for cold-blooded murder. But the Blade Runner has always maintained it was a tragic accident, that he shot his girlfriend in the pre-dawn hours of Valentine's morning last year in a moment of terror, believing that he was protecting them both from an intruder locked behind a bathroom door.
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Oscar Pistorius will not be found guilty of murder. (Original Post)
littlewolf
Sep 2014
OP
Erich Bloodaxe BSN
(14,733 posts)1. I still don't understand how you 'defend' against someone who has
locked themselves in your bathroom by firing multiple times through the door. Why not camp out in front of the door with your gun while phoning the police?
I would consider this murder even if it HAD been an intruder.
littlewolf
(3,813 posts)2. there is much more at the link .... I just took 4 paragraphs ..... nt
malaise
(269,157 posts)3. Huh?
He was already found not guilty of murder but it looks very much like culpable homicide will be the verdict tomorrow
littlewolf
(3,813 posts)6. this was the first I saw of the verdict, sorri if this is old news.
there is no mandatory jail time for culpable homicide, he could get
up to 15 years.
BlueCaliDem
(15,438 posts)4. Shameful. Pistorious is going to get away with murder. Cold-blooded murder.
I feel for Steenkamp's family. They won't get justice.
cwydro
(51,308 posts)5. I hope he does time
He is scum.
a kennedy
(29,706 posts)7. ditto that......
and scum is right.