Alon Skuy/The Times/Gallo Image/Getty ImagesOscar Pistorious was found guilty Friday of culpable homicide, equivalent to manslaughter, after being acquitted of murder charges for killing his girlfriend. Pistorius shot and killed Reeva Steenkamp, 29, in the early hours of Valentine's Day in 2013. The athlete said he thought an intruder was inside his home.
Judge Thokozile Masipa said Pistorious acted "too hastily" and used "excessive force" when firing four shots through a bathroom door, arguing a "reasonable" person would not do that. She concluded his conduct was "negligent." The Paralympic athlete's sentencing will take place at a later date and will be determined by the judge. It can range from a suspended sentence and a fine to up to 15 years in prison.
The judge also found Pistorius guilty of negligently handling and firing a gun in a restaurant, but she acquitted the 27-year-old of a charge in a separate shooting incident and an illegal ammunition charge.
Per NBC News, Steenkamp's best friend and family wept as the convictions were read.
The judge allowed Pistorious to leave court on bail.
Pistorius' trial lasted six months in Johannesburg, South Africa. It included a month-long break so the once celebrated sprinter called "Blade Runner" could be evaluated by a team of mental health experts.
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