Pistorius Found Not Guilty of Murder of Girlfriend

Oscar Pistorius, the paralympian accused of killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp was found not guilty of the most serious charge of murder by the judge, Thursday.

"The state clearly has not proved beyond reasonable doubt that the accused is guilty of premeditated murder," Thokozile Masipa said. "Viewed in its totality the evidence failed to establish that the accused had the requisite intention to kill the deceased let alone with premeditation," Judge Masipa, reports the Agence France Press.

The lesser charge of culpable homicide - also known as manslaughter- is still to be decided and could be dismissed or carry a long prison term.

If Pistorius had been convicted of premeditated murder, meaning that he intended to kill her, he would have faced a mandatory life sentence with no chances of parole for 25 years.

Pistorius, 27, also known as Blade Runner, was on trial on one count of murder and three firearms offences over the killing of Steenkamp on Valentine's Day 2013.

Pistorius sat in the dock crying being consoled by his sister Aimee and his brother Carl, reports news24.com.

The Steenkamp family was represented by  Reeva's mother June and father Barry, friends and some other family members. Barry listened to the evidence attentively even leaning forward to get the full import, reports the The Telegraph. The family left the court room immediately without any comment after announcement of the verdict.