Oscar Pistorius stands in the dock in court in Pretoria, South Africa (AP)
Athlete Oscar Pistorius has been cleared of the premeditated murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.
Judge Thokozile Masipa said there was insufficient evidence to support the prosecution’s claim that the double-amputee intended to kill his model girlfriend at his home in the early hours of February 14, 2013.
The 27-year-old could still face jail for murder without pre-planning, or of negligent killing. Pistorius could also be acquitted if Ms Masipa believes he made a tragic error.
The judge, delivering her verdict at the court in Pretoria, South Africa, said: “The state clearly has not provided beyond reasonable doubt that the accused is guilty of pre-meditated murder.
“There are just not enough facts to support such a finding.”
