Support 110 years of independent journalism.

  1. Culture
  2. Sport
12 September 2014

Oscar Pistorius found guilty of culpable homicide

The South African athlete has been cleared of premeditated and second-degree murder.

By New Statesman

Oscar Pistorius has been found guilty of culpable homicide. He was yesterday cleared of the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

Judge Thokozile Masipa ruled that the prosecution had not provided sufficient evidence for a conviction of pre-meditated murder. Steenkamp was shot three times at Pistorius’s home in Pretoria on Valentine’s Day 2013.

“The evidence failed to prove the accused had intention [to kill],” said Masipa. “The accused had the intention to shoot at the person behind the door, not to kill.”

She also stated that a “reasonable person” would not have fired the shots, and that Pistorius had acted “too hastily and used excessive force. In the circumstances, it is clear his conduct was negligent”.

The athlete was also found guilty on one firearms charge (that of negligently handling a firearm that went off in a restaurant), but acquitted on two others. He could face up to 15 years in prison from the culpable homicide charge. However, there is no minimum sentence for this offence.

Select and enter your email address Your weekly guide to the best writing on ideas, politics, books and culture every Saturday - from the New Statesman. Sign up directly at saturdayread.substack.com The New Statesman's quick and essential guide to the news and politics of the day. Sign up directly at morningcall.substack.com Stay up to date with NS events, subscription offers & updates. Weekly analysis of the shift to a new economy from the New Statesman's Spotlight on Policy team.
  • Administration / Office
  • Arts and Culture
  • Board Member
  • Business / Corporate Services
  • Client / Customer Services
  • Communications
  • Construction, Works, Engineering
  • Education, Curriculum and Teaching
  • Environment, Conservation and NRM
  • Facility / Grounds Management and Maintenance
  • Finance Management
  • Health - Medical and Nursing Management
  • HR, Training and Organisational Development
  • Information and Communications Technology
  • Information Services, Statistics, Records, Archives
  • Infrastructure Management - Transport, Utilities
  • Legal Officers and Practitioners
  • Librarians and Library Management
  • Management
  • Marketing
  • OH&S, Risk Management
  • Operations Management
  • Planning, Policy, Strategy
  • Printing, Design, Publishing, Web
  • Projects, Programs and Advisors
  • Property, Assets and Fleet Management
  • Public Relations and Media
  • Purchasing and Procurement
  • Quality Management
  • Science and Technical Research and Development
  • Security and Law Enforcement
  • Service Delivery
  • Sport and Recreation
  • Travel, Accommodation, Tourism
  • Wellbeing, Community / Social Services
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
THANK YOU

Update 12 September, 12:09pm:

Content from our partners
How to empower your employees to stay cyber secure
<strong>The energy sector reform the UK needs</strong>
Why we urgently need a social care workforce plan

The judge has granted Oscar Pistorius bail until his sentencing on 13 October, meaning that he can walk out of the court with his family today.

It also looks likely that he will be permitted to resume his athletic career. Craig Spence, director of media and communications for the International Paralympic Committee, has told BBC Radio 5 Live:

Oscar’s done a great deal for the Paralympic movement. He’s been an inspiration to millions, but obviously his priority now is to see [what] the judge decides. And then if he wishes to resume his athletics career then we wouldn’t step in his way – we would allow him to compete again in the future.”