Oscar Pistorius Found Guilty of Culpable Homicide

Oscar Pistorius has been found guilty of culpable homicide, equivalent to manslaughter after being acquitted of murder charges in the killing of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in the early hours of Feb. 14, 2013.

Reading from her written judgment, Judge Thokozile Masipa told the court that there was not enough evidence to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the athlete was guilty of premeditated murder or murder.

The judge also acquitted Mr. Pistorius on two of three firearms charges and convicted him of another. Judge Masipa said state prosecutors had "failed to establish that the accused is guilty" of firing a pistol through the sunroof of a car and "must be acquitted." On a count relating to a shot fired in a crowded restaurant, she found Mr. Pistorius guilty, but she acquitted him on a charge of illegal possession of ammunition.

According to The New York Times, culpable homicide, which relates to negligence rather than intent, can draw a 15-year jail term, but the judge has wide discretion in determining the sentence. It was also possible that the case could go to a higher court on appeal.