Oscar Pistorius is found guilty of culpable
homicide over the killing of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, but is bailed
until sentencing on 13 October.
Legal minds were baffled as the
first day in Oscar Pistorius’ judgment delivery drew to a close at the North
Gauteng High Court, agencies report.
Judge Thokozile Masipa found
Paralympian Oscar Pistorius not guilty of murder – but he can still be found
guilty of culpable homicide (manslaughter) with a maximum sentence of 15 years.
Lawyers in courtroom GD shook their
heads and some members of Reeva Steenkamp’s family left with sunglasses over
tear-stained cheeks.
The unfolding judgment proved a
rollercoaster ride favouring the two opposing sides in turn, before starting to
lean in Pistorius’ favour.
Judge Masipa said the defence team’s
timeline of events on the night of the murder tipped the evidence in favour of
Pistorius. She added that he had been an “evasive” witness.
“Amongst other things, Oscar was an
evasive witness. There was an impression that he was worried about the impact
of his answers,” said the judge.
Nevertheless, Judge Masipa appears
to be leaning towards his defence of putative self-defence – meaning that she
believes he genuinely thought his life was in danger when he shot and killed
the “intruder” who turned out to be Steenkamp.
“I am of the view that the accused
acted too hastily and with excessive force,” said Masipa, before adjourning the
courtroom on the verge of what was considered a tense cliff-hanger. Masipa is
expected to finish the judgment today.
Speaking on Talk Radio702 yesterday,
criminal law expert Tyrone Maseko said he had concerns over the judgment so
far.
“There were leaps and jumps in the
reasoning. There were issues that were not quite ventilated. The glaring one
for me is: Oscar Pistorius was not a good witness, as she said herself. What
amazes me is that she seemed to have upheld this defence of putative
self-defence.”
There is already talk that the state
will appeal the judgment.
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The Paralympian was granted an
extension to his bail until his sentencing on October 13 despite claims by the
prosecution that he might flee the country.
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The following comment was made by a
family member close to murdered Reeva Steenkamp.
A family member close to the Steenkamps said:
“From what I gather it seems like the state will appeal the judgment. Certainly
[Judge Masipa's] understanding of what constitutes Dolus Eventualis seems to
differ from almost every legal mind. We shall see.”
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