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Oscar Pistorius guilty of culpable homicide

SOUTH AFRICAN judge Thokozile Masipa found Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius guilty of culpable homicide today in the shooting of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

Prosecutors said they were disappointed by the ruling — he had been charged with murder — but would decide on an appeal only after sentencing was carried out.

Judge Masipa said there was not enough evidence to support the contention that Mr Pistorius knew Ms Steenkamp was behind a locked toilet door in his home when he shot through the door last year.

She said prosecutors had not proven beyond a reasonable doubt that he intended to kill Ms Steenkamp.

Free again after the judge extended his bail, the double-amputee Olympian left the courtroom surrounded by police officers.

He will return later today when his sentencing hearing will start.

A conviction of culpable homicide, or negligent killing, can bring a maximum prison sentence of 15 years, though legal experts suggest five years as a guideline.

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