NPA welcomes Oscar murder conviction
The National Prosecuting Authority has welcomed the Supreme Court of Appeal's decision to set aside Oscar Pistorius's culpable homicide conviction by the North Gauteng High Court, finding him guilty of murder instead.
The Appeal's Court found that Pistorius should have foreseen that firing four shots through the toilet door would have resulted in the death of a person behind the door.
It found that trial judge Thokozile Masipa incorrectly applied the principles of dolus eventualis in coming to her decision last September.
The athlete killed his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine's Day two years ago. During trial, the Paralympian told the hearing he thought she had been an intruder.
The NPA's Luvuyo Mfaku says they are happy with the decision made.
"As the NPA, we believe that the judgement affirms our conviction that the trial court judge erred in her interpretation and application of the law and therefore the Supreme Court of Appeal judgement offered is in the interest of justice," he said.
(File photo)