South African Olympic and Paralympic athlete Oscar Pistorius has been cleared of murdering his girlfriend.
Delivering the verdict this morning at court in Pretoria, judge Thokozile Masipa said that there was insufficient evidence to convict Pistorius of pre-meditated murder. On a second count of murder with intent, or second degree murder, she also concluded that it as impossible to convict him.
Double-amputee Pistorius was accused of murdering his girlfriend, 30-year-old model Reeva Steencamp in Pretoria on Valentine’s Day last year by firing four rounds from a 9mm pistol at her. He maintains that he mistook her for a burglar.
Pistorius achieved world fame when he became the first amputee to compete against able-bodied runners in a professional athletics event. His prosthetic blades led to him being dubbed “blade runner”.
The 27-year-old athlete appeared tense in court and had a sick bucket by a side.
Judge Masipa has yet to rule on charges of manslaughter.
The verdict is ongoing.
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