Judge finds Pistorius guilty of homicide

PRETORIA, South Africa – South African Judge Thokozile Masipa found Oscar Pistorius guilty of culpable homicide on Friday, September 12, after he was cleared of intentionally murdering girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

On the charge of murder, Masipa said, “the accused is found not guilty and is discharged, instead he is found guilty of culpable homicide.” 

The 27-year-old paralympic sprinter Pistorius was also found guilty of negligently handling a gun in a restaurant, but acquitted him on two other firearm charges.

Pistorius was accused of asking to see a gun in Tasha’s restaurant and while handling it under the table the firearm went off.

“He may not have intentionally pulled the trigger… that does not absolve him of the crime of negligently handling a firearm,” said Masipa.

Pistorius, who had remained emotionless the whole morning, started clenching his jaw during the ruling.

Masipa had however cleared Pistorius on charges of illegally possessing ammunition, which the sprinter said belonged to his father.

She also said there was not enough evidence to suggest he was guilty of another count of shooting a gun through a car sunroof. – Rappler.com