December 06, 2025 01:53 am (IST)
Follow us:
"Blade-Runner" Pistorius guilty of culpable homicide
New Delhi, Sept 12 (IBNS): Six-time Paralympics champion "Blade-Runner" Oscar Pistorius found guilty on Friday of culpable homicide charges in killing his model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, a conviction that could land him in jail for 15 years, media reported.
A day after he was acquitted of murder charges, South African Judge Thokozile Masipa on Friday said that Pistorius had acted "negligently" when firing four hollow point rounds into a locked toilet door in the early hours of Valentine's Day 2013 that resulted in the death of his girlfriend.
Pistorius was charged with one count of murder and three firearms offences.
The Judge delivered, "The accused is found not guilty and is discharged of murder charges, instead he is found guilty of culpable homicide,” reported media.
In her verdict, Masipa said, “A reasonable person would have foreseen that possibility that whoever was behind the door might be killed by the shots and would have taken steps to avoid the consequences and the accused in this matter failed to take those consequences.”
According to media reports, as the verdict was read out, the "Blade Runner" stared straight ahead as the conviction was read.
Showing little emotion, he started clenching his jaw during the ruling.
On Thursday, the court has cleared him of serious murder charges.
On Thursday, the court has cleared him of serious murder charges.
Judge Masipa is reported to have said said that the state clearly has not proved beyond reasonable doubt that the accused is guilty of premeditated murder.
She said, “Clearly he (Pistorius) did not objectively foresee this as a possibility, that he would kill the person behind the door."
Judge Masipa added, "Viewed in its totality the evidence failed to establish that the accused had the requisite intention to kill the deceased let alone with premeditation," as reported in the media.
Both defence and prosecution agreed Pistorius killed the law graduate and model when he fired four shots through a locked toilet door in his upmarket Pretoria home.
Both defence and prosecution agreed Pistorius killed the law graduate and model when he fired four shots through a locked toilet door in his upmarket Pretoria home.
But the sprinter said he thought he was shooting at an intruder while Steenkamp was safely in bed.
Pistorius was also convicted of one of three gun charges.
Pistorius was also convicted of one of three gun charges.
Masipa said Pistorius was guilty of negligently handling a gun in restaurant, but acquitted him on two other firearm charges.
Pistorius was found guilty of asking to see a gun in Tasha's restaurant and while handling it under the table the firearm went off.
"He may not have intentionally pulled the trigger... that does not absolve him of the crime of negligently handling a firearm," said Masipa.
She had however cleared Pistorius on charges of illegally possessing ammunition, which the sprinter said belonged to his father.
She also said there was not enough evidence to suggest he was guilty of another count of shooting a gun through a car sunroof.
Legal experts had earlier voiced surprise that Pistorius was found not guilty of murder.
Legal experts had earlier voiced surprise that Pistorius was found not guilty of murder.
The verdict is unlikely to be the end of the case, feel legal experts.
There will be more courtroom arguments before a sentence is handed down and, most likely, an appeal to a higher court.
The trial, which has gripped South Africans and much of the world for half a year, has cast a harsh spotlight on the fallen hero's private life.
Whatever happens, Pistorius's glittering sporting career is likely to be over, they said.
Support Our Journalism
We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism
IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news.
Support objective journalism for a small contribution.
Latest Headlines
Unbelievable! Team Hemant Jalan and other top contenders smash their way to seniors bridge semi-finals — scores will shock you!
Fri, Dec 05 2025
Skal International Kolkata, WBCADA to hold exhibition match celebrating inclusivity and resilience
Wed, Dec 03 2025
Vidhya Patel, Kalpana Gurjar won Amla Ruia Women's Pairs title in Ashok Ruia Memorial Winter National Bridge Championship
Tue, Dec 02 2025
National Bridge Championship: Kamna Sharma & Richa Sriram top qualifiers, advance to finals with eleven other pairs
Mon, Dec 01 2025
More than 700 players to compete in 67th Ashok Ruia Memorial National Bridge Championship in New Town from Dec 1
Mon, Dec 01 2025
Virat Kohli’s epic celebration! Punches air, kisses locket, thanks Almighty after stunning 52nd ODI ton in Ranchi
Sun, Nov 30 2025
Jemimah Rodrigues opts out of remainder of WBBL season after Smriti Mandhana's wedding gets postponed
Thu, Nov 27 2025
Smriti Mandhana’s fiance Palash Muchhal discharged — wedding date still a mystery amid viral chat scandal
Wed, Nov 26 2025