BS, PURE BS

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/11/oscar-pistorius-not-guilty-murder-reeva-steenkamp

Oscar Pistorius has been cleared of the murder of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, a vindication for the athlete who vehemently protested his innocence during a trial in South Africa that gripped millions around the world.

But the judge abruptly adjourned the trial on Thursday afternoon with the culpable homicide – manslaughter – charge still outstanding. In delivering her ruling, judge Thokozile Masipa said it was clear Pistorius had acted unlawfully in shooting the person behind the toilet door on Valentine's Day last year.

She said a "reasonable person" would not have fired four shots into the toilet cubicle, and that Pistorius acted "too hastily and used excessive force … It is clear his conduct was negligent."

The court will resume on Friday to hear her decision on whether the athlete was guilty of culpable homicide, which could result in a prison sentence of up to 15 years.

The Olympic and Paralympic athlete slumped forward in the dock and sobbed quietly as the judge ruled that the state had failed to prove he was guilty of murder or premeditated murder, and that the evidence was "purely circumstantial".

The not guilty verdicts will bring some relief to his family, who were in court to support him every day, and the legion of fans who believed in him. It even raises the prospect that the Paralympian could one day resurrect his career on the track.

[Edited 9/12/14 4:57am]

I've been lowkisey following this mess...This is some of the dumbest stupidity...I don't understand. This guy is either a fucking idiot, or this was pre-meditated. I can't even believe the story, because it doesn't make any sense. A white athlete gets off for shooting and killing his girlfriend, and at the same time, a Black athlete is catching all kinds of hell just for knocking his girlfriend out, after she hit him first.

I'm confused...

ScarletScandal said:

I've been lowkisey following this mess...This is some of the dumbest stupidity...I don't understand. This guy is either a fucking idiot, or this was pre-meditated. I can't even believe the story, because it doesn't make any sense. A white athlete gets off for shooting and killing his girlfriend, and at the same time, a Black athlete is catching all kinds of hell just for knocking his girlfriend out, after she hit him first.

I'm confused...

You're confused because the judicial systems are completely different. South Africa has its own interpretation of guilt and innocence. But I do agree with you that this is bullshit and completely ludicrous. How in the hell could Pisstoreyass, misspelling and pun intended, not realize that his girlfriend might have been in the bathroom? The judge us either ruling out of fear of retaliation or she's being paid off, or she's completely incompetent.

Shyra said:

ScarletScandal said:

I've been lowkisey following this mess...This is some of the dumbest stupidity...I don't understand. This guy is either a fucking idiot, or this was pre-meditated. I can't even believe the story, because it doesn't make any sense. A white athlete gets off for shooting and killing his girlfriend, and at the same time, a Black athlete is catching all kinds of hell just for knocking his girlfriend out, after she hit him first.

I'm confused...

You're confused because the judicial systems are completely different. South Africa has its own interpretation of guilt and innocence. But I do agree with you that this is bullshit and completely ludicrous. How in the hell could Pisstoreyass, misspelling and pun intended, not realize that his girlfriend might have been in the bathroom? The judge us either ruling out of fear of retaliation or she's being paid off, or she's completely incompetent.

I'm confused about the judicial system here

But regardless of location, this still doesn't make any sense.

Not enough facts/evidence to prove 'beyond a reasonable doubt' that it was intentional murder.

He may still serve some jail time. The judge is supposed to rule tomorrow

Frederick96 said:

He may still serve some jail time. The judge is supposed to rule tomorrow

UPDATE

Oscar Pistorius found guilty of culpable homicide

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/12/oscar-pistorius-guilty-culpable-homicide-reeva-steenkamp

Pistorius Found Guilty of Culpable Homicide

September 12


Read here.

I found these two articles useful in getting at the specific legal points that were at stake in this outcome:
http://www.dailymaverick....BLexUs6HwK
http://www.iol.co.za/news...-1.1749695

It's pretty shocking, tbh, and it certainly feels like justice has not been done. It'll be interesting to see if there's an appeal.

South Africa: Culpable Homicide

United States: Involuntary Manslaughter.

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[Edited 9/12/14 8:02am]

I don't want to say the obvious thing. This thread will get locked...

SuperFurryAnimal said: