After a lengthy trial and 30 days of deliberation, Paralympian Oscar Pistorius has been found not guilty of the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steemkamp. According to Judge Thokozile Masipa who presided over the case at the High Court in Pretoria, as she read her verdict said that the state did not have enough facts to prove the charge of premeditated murder and that the case was based on circumstantial evidence.
She dismissed the testimony of witnesses, saying that they were unreliable, and that witnesses were confused during their testimonies, also adding that most of what they said weren't accurate. She also said that even if Oscar was evasive with some facts, it doesn't mean he is guilty of murder.
She explained that Oscar's reaction after killing Reeva shows he didn't have criminal intent, hadn't foreseen he'd killed her. She said he could not have faked his reaction minutes after the shooting. She even dismissed the whatsapp messages between the lovers, saying relationships are dynamic. She also said evidence did not support the state's claim of second degree murder.
"The state has not proved beyond reasonable doubt that the accused is guilty of premeditated murder. There are just not enough facts to support such a finding'- she said.While he's not guilty of premeditated murder, he is yet to find out if he's guilty of culpable homicide (manslaughter) which is the negligent death of another, meaning that there was no intention to kill but the killing is unlawful. The court has adjourned for early lunch.
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