Photo Credit: Frennie Shivambu/EPA
After months of waiting, Judge Thokozile Masipa found blade runner Oscar Pistorius not guilty of intentionally murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. However, he is not fully off the hook as the judge also declared Pistorius was “negligent” meaning he could face a lesser charge such as manslaughter. She told the court, Pistorius “acted too hastily and used excessive force”.
Throughout the trial, Pistorius was highly emotion often sobbing and getting sick when photos of Steenkamp were shown. Similarly, when the verdict was read he held his head in his hands.
The judge criticized Pistorius for his actions that night saying they were excessive and if he truly believed there was an intruder in his home he should have called the authorities. He also faces two additional charges connected with the firing of a weapon. The court is in recess until Friday when a final verdict, hopefully, will be read.
