Updated 12.10am
OSCAR PISTORIUS WAS this morning found guilty of the culpable homicide – a sentence comparable to manslaughter – of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.
He was also convicted on another charge of unlawfully firing a gun in a public place.
Yesterday, the Olympian was found not guilty of premeditated murder, a charge that could have carried a sentence of 25 years.
He has now been granted bail, and the next phase in the trial is sentencing. This will take place on 13 October.
Legal argument will continue between the two sides, with some suggesting that that both Pistorious and the Steenkamp family could be called to give evidence again.
Pistorius will then be sentenced on his two charges – the culpable homicide charge carries 15 years, and the firearm offence five years.
Associated Press reports that:
The sentence for a culpable homicide conviction is at the judge’s discretion, and it can range from a suspended sentence and a fine to up to a maximum of 15 years in prison.
Pistorius’ emotional state is expected to play a role in deciding the nature of this sentence.
If the judge isn’t lenient, Pistorius could be facing a 20-year prison sentence, as she has the discretion to decide whether the sentences run separately or concurrently.
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