Oscar Pistorius Trial Update: What Are The Potential Verdicts For The Paralympian?

The judge presiding over the Oscar Pistorius murder trial has remained notably silent throughout the months of proceedings, however on Thursday Judge Thokozile Masipa, 66, will have to deliver the verdict in the trail of Pistorius. The Paralympian faces a premeditated murder charge, after he fired four separate shots through a closed bathroom door at his home in Pretoria. The incident took place on Valentine’s Day 2013 and resulted in the death of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. Pistorius claims he had mistaken her for an intruder, in addition to the murder charge; Pistorius is also facing two charges elating to firing a gun in a public space, and a separate charge for illegally possessing ammunition.

With all of this to consider, we are breaking down the potential verdicts for Oscar Pistorius they include; not guilty on all charges, guilty on all charges, guilty on firearm and ammunition charges, not guilty of premeditated murder but guilty of culpable homicide, and finally not guilty on firearm and ammunition charges but guilty on premeditated murder charge. With the help of The Guardian, we are breaking down all these potential verdicts in details, beginning with the most unlikely—not guilty on all charges.

If Pistorius were found not guilty on all charges, he would obviously be a free man; he would also reserve the right to initiate a civil case against minister of police and justice for damages incurred to his person during the long trial proceedings. In direct contrast if Pistorius is found guilty on all charges, the minimum sentence for premeditated murder in South Africa is life imprisonment or 25 years. In addition, being found guilty on the firearm charges would tack on another 2-5 years of imprisonment. The athlete is entitled to parole hearing after 25 years and, if released, will still be on parole for the rest of his life.

If he is acquitted of the premeditated murder charge, but is still guilty of the ammunition charges then Pistorius could face a fine or up to five years in prison for the firearm charges. However, The Guardian reports that presiding Judge Masipa could declare, “the prosecution had not proved premeditated murder beyond reasonable doubt.” This would then allow her to still find Pistorius guilty of culpable homicide, also known as manslaughter. Interestingly enough, there is no designated sentence for manslaughter in South African law, and in that instance the sentence is decided by the judge based on both evidence and circumstances of the crime. Finally if Pistorious is found guilty of premeditated murder but cleared of the gun and ammunition charges, he will face a life sentence or possibly more depending on whether Judge Masipa finds the sentence sufficient considering the circumstances of the murder.