Oscar Pistorius Is Found Not Guilty of Premeditated Murder in the Death of His Girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp (Update)

Pistorius could still face some less serious charges for killing Steenkamp.

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Complex Original

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Back in February 2013, Olympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius—also known as the "Blade Runner" because of the fact that he uses two prosthetic legs to run—was arrested in South Africa and charged with murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. He has since gone through the legal process and endured a trial that has featured prosecutors trying to prove that he intentionally killed Steenkamp. However, a short time ago, Judge Thokozile Masipa ruled that she does not believe that Pistorius killed Steenkamp on purpose and found him not guilty of premeditated murder. He could have faced up to 25 years in prison if he had been found guilty.

Pistorius hasn't been 100 percent cleared of any wrongdoing in the death of Steenkamp, though. While the judge found him not guilty of premeditated murder, there's still a chance that he could be found guilty of culpable homicide, which is a charge that could still result in jail time, albeit much less jail time than premeditated murder would have called for Pistorius to do.

Court is currently in recess but Judge Masipa is expected to make a ruling on the culpable homicide charge later today. Stay tuned for further details on the Pistorius case.

UPDATE:

Although he was not found guilty of premeditated murder, Pistorius was found guilty of culpable murder today and could face up to 15 years in prison. His sentencing hearing will begin next month.

[via Sports Illustrated]

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