Oscar Pistorius guilty of 'culpable homicide'

PRETORIA, South Africa, Sept. 12 (UPI) -- A day after Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius was acquitted of murder in the shooting death of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, South African Judge Thokozile Matilda Masipa ruled Friday the disabled track star was guilty of culpable homicide.

Equivalent to manslaughter, culpable homicide carries a maximum 15-year prison sentence. The verdict may be appealed to a higher court.

The judge granted bail while Pistorius waits for the sentencing hearing, which was scheduled for October 13.

The defense maintained throughout the 41-day trial Pistorius accidentally shot Steenkamp on the night of Feb. 14, 2013 after the double amputee mistook her for an intruder in his bathroom. Chief defense attorney Barry Roux said in his closing arguments last month that the charges brought against his client should not have been for murder, but instead for culpable homicide.

On Thursday, the judge determined "The state clearly has not proved beyond reasonable doubt that the accused is guilty of premeditated murder," but "there is no doubt that when the accused fired shots through the toilet door he acted unlawfully."

Pistorius also faced weapons charges. On Friday, the judge acquitted him of two of three weapons charges, finding him guilty for the third incident involving the accidental discharge of a Glock handgun under the table of a crowded restaurant in January 2013. "He may not have intentionally pulled the trigger but that does not absolve him," the judge ruled.