PRETORIA, South Africa (AP) — Oscar Pistorius will find out tomorrow the verdict in his trial for the shooting death of his girlfriend last year. But he’s already been assured that he won’t be convicted of murder.
As a judge in South Africa today began the judgment phase of the trial, she said prosecutors hadn’t proven premeditated murder.
Still, the judge says he acted “too hastily and with excessive force,” leaving open the possibility that he will be convicted of culpable homicide.
Pistorius has said he fired through a toilet door in his home after mistaking Reeva Steenkamp for an intruder. And the judge today noted that Pistorius was reported to be in genuine distress in the immediate aftermath of the shooting.
Some legal analysts were surprised at the judge’s comments today. They say Pistorius could at least have been convicted of a lesser murder charge.
The courtroom in Pretoria was packed for the ruling in the case against Pistorius, the double-amputee track star who competed against able-bodied athletes at the 2012 Olympics in London.
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192-w-34-(Rita Foley, AP correspondent with Judge Thokozile Masipa (toh-koh-ZEE’-leh mah-SEE-pah))–We don’t know yet what the verdict is in the Oscar Pistorius murder trial in South Africa — but we know what it’s not. AP correspondent Rita Foley reports. (11 Sep 2014)
< 170-a-16-(Judge Thokozile Masipa (toh-koh-ZEE’-leh mah-SEE-pah), in court proceedings for Oscar Pistorius murder trial)-“conduct was negligent”-Judge Thokozile Masipa says she feels Oscar Pistorius acted negligently when he fatally shot his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, raising the possibility that the athlete will be convicted of culpable homicide. (11 Sep 2014) < 134-a-08-(Judge Thokozile Masipa (toh-koh-ZEE’-leh mah-SEE-pah) reading the reasoning behind her upcoming verdict, at the Oscar Pistorius murder trial)-“of premeditated murder”-Judge Thokozile Masipa says the evidence presented by prosecutors does not prove that Oscar Pistorius intended to kill Reeva Steenkamp. (11 Sep 2014) < APPHOTO XDF119: Oscar Pistorius cries in the dock in Pretoria, South Africa, Thursday Sept. 11, 2014 as Judge Thokozile Masipa reads notes as she delivers her verdict in Pistorius’ murder trial. The verdict is expected to take hours and possibly two days to present. She will decide with the help of two legal assessors if Pistorius is guilty of the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. (AP Photo/Phil Magakoe, Pool) (11 Sep 2014) < Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.