Judge in trial of Olympic and Paralympic sprinter rules out murder charges but is yet to deliver her final verdict with court adjourned until Friday

The murder trial of Olympic and Paralympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius has been adjourned until Friday when Judge Thokozile Masipa is expected to deliver her final verdict after having said on Thursday how the prosecution had failed to prove premeditated murder.

Pistorius shot and killed his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine’s Day last year and prosecutors accuse the six-time Paralympic gold medallist of deliberately killing model Steenkamp, while the athlete says he shot at the toilet door thinking there was an intruder in his house.

Judge Masipa said the prosecution had failed to prove that Pistorius deliberately killed Steenkamp, although commented how “…it is clear that his conduct was negligent” and is yet to rule on whether he is guilty of culpable homicide (manslaughter).

“The state has not proved beyond reasonable doubt that the accused is guilty of premeditated murder,” Judge Masipa told the Pretoria High Court.

However, she later went on to say: “I am of the view that the accused acted too hastily and used excessive force. In the circumstances, it is clear that his conduct was negligent.”

Known as the Blade Runner” because of the carbon fibre prosthetic blades he would use when running, Pistorius made history at London 2012 when he became the first double amputee to run in both the Olympics and Paralympics.

The London 2012 Olympic 400m semi-finalist also won gold in the T44 400m at the London Paralympics, setting a Paralympic record in the process, as well as silver in the T44 200m and gold in the 4x100m relay.

More on this story will be published in the next edition of Athletics Weekly magazine, out September 18

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