Pistorius maintained that he shot Steenkamp, a former model, accidentally, because he believed an intruder had broken into their Pretoria home.
Advertisement
The disgraced Paralympian’s culpable homicide conviction was overturned by the SCA, finding him guilty of murder.
“He fired four shots through the door and he never offered an acceptable explanation… he fired not one, but four shots… that is exactly what the accused did”, said Justice Eric Leach.
‘He did not know whether that person constituted any threat, ‘ Leach said of Pistorius’s decision to fire.
The appeal centred on dolus eventualis – a Latin legal phrase meaning the act was carried out knowing it would lead to death and the accused went ahead anyway.
Steenkamp’s mother June was in court for Thursday’s ruling, but made no immediate comment. Pistorius was not there. Pistorius is looking at a minimum of 15 years in prison, the standard in South Africa. The guilty call came after a South African appeals court overturned a previous manslaughter verdict, according to the BBC on Thursday. Pistorius had been sentenced to five years for manslaughter, but was released in just over a year based on good behavior. Pistorius, 29, has been under house arrest since October when he was released from jail.
“And then, ironically on Valentine’s Day, all is destroyed when he takes her life”, the ruling said.
Steenkamp’s family members were present, keeping a stony-faced throughout the court proceeding, but hugged after hearing the verdict.
“I was overcome with fear”, he said while in the dock, describing how he thought he heard an intruder in the bathroom.
“I’m satisfied with everything now”, Barry Steenkamp said.
However, the law allows for a lesser sentence to be imposed in exceptional circumstances and the time already served by Pistorius will likely be taken into account.
Pistorius is now out of prison under house arrest after spending a year of a five-year sentence in jail.
Oscar Pistorius has been found guilty in the murder of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp.
(Photo: Hannnah Peters) LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 08: Oscar Pistorius of South Africa celebrates winning the Men’s 400m ¿ T44 final on day 10 of the London 2012 Paralympic Games at Olympic Stadium on September 8, 2012 in London, England.
Advertisement
Given the new conviction, Pistorius will have to attend the high court in Pretoria to receive a new sentence by Judge Masipa.
