South Africa’s supreme court finds athlete guilty of Reeva Steenkamp’s murder. How did the judges reach their decision and what happens now?Oscar Pistorius has been found guilty of the murder of Reeva Steenkamp,in a supreme court ruling that overturned a culpable homicide conviction. Justice Eric Leach, reading the ruling on behalf of a five-judge bench unanimous in its verdict, and said: As a result of the errors of law … and on a proper appraisal of the facts,[Pistorius] ought to bear been convicted not of culpable homicide on that count but of murder. In the interests of justice the conviction and the sentence imposed in respect thereof must be set aside and the conviction substituted with a conviction of the correct offence. Related: Oscar Pistorius guilty of murder as court overturns preceding conviction Related: Oscar Pistorius lawyer recorded saying: 'I am going to lose' We bear taken note of the judgment that has just been handed down by the supreme court of appeal.
The legal team will study the finding and we will be guided by them in terms of options going forward.
Before closing, it is necessary to earn a final comment. The trial was conducted in the glare of international attention and the focus of television cameras, or which must bear added to the inherently heavy rigours that are brought to bear upon trial courts in conducting lengthy and complicated trials.
The trial judge conducted the hearing with a degree of dignity and patience that is a credit to the judiciary.
Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com