As Judge Thokozile Masipa announced Pistorius could not be found guilty of murder, the athlete broke down in convulsing sobs
As Judge Thokozile Masipa announced the athlete could not be found guilty of murder, he broke down in convulsing sobs.
With shoulders heaving, he was overcome with emotion in the dock.
He appeared to hyperventilate as his family members rushed to comfort him, including sister Aimee and brother Carl.
As the decision was given Reeva Steenkamp’s family in the public gallery are visable shell-shocked by the news.
Her father Barry shakes his head and scowls to one side while mum June his hidden from view behind him.
The judge has now dismissed both premeditated murder and murder, ruling out the possibility Pistorius intended to kill his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.
It’s the latest dramatic twist in a six month trial that has seen Pistorius on trial, accused of murdering his girlfriend. She was killed during a tragic incident at his Pretoria home in February last year.
During the trial the prosecution claimed he had killed her deliberately following a row, while the defence argued he had mistaken her for an intruder.
Speaking earlier today from a court room in South Africa, she said the timeline of events ‘tipped the scales in favour of the accused’s version’, and the evidence failed to establish the he had direct intention or premeditation.
The case is not over, however, as the athlete could still be convicted of culpable homicide – the equivalent of manslaughter.
There is no minimum sentence for this offence though, so if convicted Pistorius could potentially walk free. Alternatively the judge could impose a prison sentence, a suspended sentence or even impose a fine.
Pistorius also still faces a number of outstanding firearms offences that could also result in years behind bars.
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Mirror.