Oscar Pistorius Aquitted for Girlfriend’s Murder, Convicted of Culpable Homicide

“The accused cannot be found guilty of murder,” the Judge Thokozile Matilda Masipa said.  Those are the words Oscar Pistorius heard as the judge began reading aloud the verdict.  The judge in Oscar Pistorius’ trial ruled out a murder conviction for the double-amputee Olympian on Thursday, in the death of his girlfriend but said he was negligent, raising the possibility he will be convicted of culpable homicide; the killing of someone through reckless or negligent behavior.  Early this morning Judge Masipa announced the final verdict. After being found guilty of culpable homicide Pistorius will be facing a maximum of 15 years behind bars. Pistorius killed his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, in the predawn hours of Valentine’s Day last year, about six months after he dazzled the world by running in the Olympics on carbon-fiber blades called “Flex-Foot Cheetahs.” He claimed that it was in defense as he believed an intruder had entered his home. He shot at a locked toilet cubicle door only to find out after breaking it down that it was Steenkamp that was inside. Her death has been determined to be an accident. Judge Masipa has agreed to extend Pistorius’ bail until his hearing proceedings begin October 13^th, 2014.