Pistorius facing jail for ‘culpable homicide’

Pistorius has been found guilty of culpable homicide, Judge Masipa ruled on Friday after a unanimous vote.

The two-day verdict was concluded on Friday and the state was able to prove that Oscar may not have intentionally set out to kill but had committed murder illegally or unlawfully.

According to the judge, it might have been a mistake on the sprinter’s part but it was culpable and the court will attach penalty to it especially considering that he had alternatives. He was, however, cleared for premeditated murder on Thursday.

Pistoriuse was acquitted of the second count, which is “firing a gun in a public place, on grounds that it wasn’t harmful to anyone having being shot from the sunroof of his car and apologised for it after.

He was found guilty of the fourth count, “firing a gun in the public place” because, according to Judge Masipa, he acted out of negligence to private property and the presence of people in harm’s way. He was then acquitted of the fourth count, “possession of a firearm” after the state was unable to prove why he had it, going then with his testimony of “holding it for his father”. the state couldn’t also get Oscar’s father to produce an affidavit to prove the gun was indeed his own, and with that, the count was dismissed.

Darren Fresco who was charged for engineering evidence was tried as a ‘204’ witness and was granted indemnity.

Oscar Pistorius was charged for the murder of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine’s Day last year and was tried for four counts- murder (premed), murder and three gun counts.

The long-running trial has finally come to an end and the sentencing will be delivered on a later date, but the maximum sentencing for culpable homicide is 15 years.

Bail is also being considered for Oscar but might not be granted because he is considered a flight risk .