Oscar Pistorius not guilty of murder

[meriad]

premeditated murder that is.... he's still waiting to hear if he's guilty of her manslaughter.

Somehow I I'm not surprised at that outcome - I definitely don't think what he did was premeditated (and I didn't realise that that was the main charge - rather odd)

I'd be VERY surprised if he isn't found guilty of her manslaughter though

[Workingman]

It seems to be a strange verdict at first glance. From the coverage we have had it appeared that they had got him bang to rights and that finding him guilty was only a formality.

[Diflower]

I heard some of the summing-up, it was interesting; the judge did seem to be warning that it was going to be manslaughter.

[meriad]

Frank, I think it's the fact that the original charge was one of premeditated murder - there is no way they could find him guilty of that because it definitely wasn't premeditated.

The only option would possibly have been (what I found on the BBC website) common law murder:

Common-law murder
Unlawfully intended to kill in the heat of the moment but without "malice aforethought". Either: Shot door intending to kill, or knew someone might be killed and still fired gun

THAT is the one I thought he'd be found guilty of

[meriad]

Di, if he isn't found guilty of manslaughter then justice won't have been served

[Diflower]

I think he will - she (the judge) was saying things like, 'he had several choices here - the easiest option being to take his cell phone from his pocket and call security, but he could also have stepped onto the balcony and shouted...'

Partly it's interesting to hear how a different system works - we're hearing what the judge actually thinks.

[Kaz]

I think manslaughter, or the equivalent, should be the outcome! I doubt it was premeditated as such, and for murder to stick they have to prove it was...........

I still think he should go down for a very long time

[Kaz]

"The judge has dismissed all possible Murder charges, but will deliver her verdict on charges of Culpable Homicide tomorrow" - that's a quote from the BBC News channel I don't quite understand the jargon here - TBPH I find the SA system a trifle odd, after all what is wrong with the jury system

[victor]

:? "The judge has dismissed all possible Murder charges, but will deliver her verdict on charges of Culpable Homicide tomorrow" - that's a quote from the BBC News channel I don't quite understand the jargon here - TBPH I find the SA system a trifle odd, after all what is wrong with the jury system

i have read also that the outcome of trials can depend on who you know or how much you have--if true seems an odd way of doing things

[TheOstrich]

Di, if he isn't found guilty of manslaughter then justice won't have been served

This. Couldn't agree more, Meriad.