Oscar Pistorius Guilty Verdict: Twitter Reacts To Athlete's Conviction For Culpable Homicide
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After a lengthy trial, South African athlete Oscar Pistorius was found guilty of culpable homicide Friday, over the 2013 shooting of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, and of negligently discharging a firearm in a restaurant. He was acquitted of other charges, including pre-meditated murder, against him.
Although the judge has handed down her verdict, Pistorius still has to be sentenced, which is unlikely to happen today. Lawyers for both sides will be permitted to call witnesses to support their arguments. There is no minimum punishment for culpable homicide in South Africa, raising concerns on social media that Pistorius could receive a relatively light sentence.
In the aftermath of the verdict, reporters tweeted updates on what was happening in the court, and what was likely to happen next.
#OscarPistorius sits, rubs his face, and slumps briefly forwards. Not much emotion in court. We knew this verdict was coming.
- andrew harding (@BBCAndrewH) September 12, 2014
#PistoriusTrial Judge now expected to review OP's bail and conditions ahead of sentencing hearing which could be delayed for several weeks.
- martinbrunt (@skymartinbrunt) September 12, 2014
#PistoriusTrial Athlete's uncle Arnold gives him big hug now. He still doesnt know if this means jail or not
- Alex Crawford (@AlexCrawfordSky) September 12, 2014
Nel cites fact that #OscarPistorius sold 3 South African properties recently, implying he could now be a flight risk.
- andrew harding (@BBCAndrewH) September 12, 2014
Immediate reactions to the sentence ranged from support to disbelief
Said it before and I'll say it again; Culpable Homicide the correct verdict, crucially now is, what the sentence will be... #PistoriusTrial
- Luke Conboy (@ConboyL) September 12, 2014
If the Oscar for great acting hadn't already been invented I think they'd have had to create it now #PistoriusTrial
- Paul Silburn (@PaulSilburn) September 12, 2014
6mths of trial, 43 days of sitting, 1 victim, 1 accused, no eyewitness, many versions #PistoriusTrial
- Emily Crooks (@emilynationwide) September 12, 2014
Are #SouthAfrican State #Prosecutors to blame if #OscarPistorius goes scot free? Case of shoddy job? #PistoriusVerdict @nomsa_maseko
- Benjamin Tetteh (@benjieluv) September 12, 2014
From my limited watching of the Pistorius trial I think the right verdict was the right call, I can't see any evidence of premeditation.
— Jack McGill (@Jxxxr) September 12, 2014
#Pistoriusverdict sad day for Reeva's family who had wanted to see justice done. Lots of tears in the court as they await the next step.
- Justine Lang (@justteaplease) September 12, 2014
Culpable homicide carries a maximum sentence of 15 years imprisonment in South Africa, but no minimum punishment. The prospect, albeit unlikely, that Pistorius could escape with a fine, riled some Twitter users.
So he could possibly get away with just a fine? Hahah #PistoriusTrial
- Luke Pratley (@oufc_waspy) September 12, 2014
#Pistorius could just be fined for culpable homicide guilty verdict #PistoriusTrial #OscarPistorius
- Rhodri R Davies (@rrdvs) September 12, 2014
Basic principle I find baffling - man shoots women in head, kills her and yet he can potentially walk free? Crazy. #PistoriusTrial
- Hols (@Hollymonster79) September 12, 2014
#Pistoriusverdict sad day for Reeva's family who had wanted to see justice done. Lots of tears in the court as they await the next step.
- Justine Lang (@justteaplease) September 12, 2014
#Pistorius - Culpable Homicide typically carries 5-8 year sentence with maximum consider 15. There are no "required" min/max sentences.
- Jim Clancy (@clancycnn) September 12, 2014
And some peculiarities during discussion of bail raised eyebrows.
Seems weird that Oscar Pistorius' lawyer just gave out the address where he's living on an international broadcast. #PistoriusVerdict
- Erik Hall (@hallerik) September 12, 2014
Can't believe they just broadcast the address of #Pistorius uncle. #PistoriusVerdict #PistoriusTrial
- Girlie-ish Tomboy (@girlieishtomboy) September 12, 2014
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