Pistorius Family 'Never Doubted' Athlete's Story

Oscar Pistorius' uncle Arnold has said the family never doubted his version of events on the night he killed his girlfriend.

He said Reeva Steenkamp's death at the athlete's house in Pretoria, South Africa, was a "tragic event" and his family remained "deeply affected" by it.

Arnold Pistorius also said he was grateful to Judge Thokozile Masipa for finding the runner not guilty of murder and it was a "big burden off our shoulders and Oscar's".

The double amputee was convicted of a lesser charge of culpable homicide, which is the equivalent charge of manslaughter in the UK.

Judge Masipa said Pistorius had acted negligently when he fired four shots into a locked toilet door, killing the 29-year-old model who was behind it.

But she also said he did not intend to kill anyone and could not have seen that the intruder he thought was hiding in his toilet was actually Ms Steenkamp.

Arnold Pistorius said: "We always knew the facts of the matter. We never had any doubt in Oscar's version of this tragic incident."

He said "there were no victors" and added: "It won't bring Reeva back but our hearts still go out to her family and friends."

Pistorius was also convicted of discharging a firearm at a Johannesburg restaurant on January 11, 2013.

But he was acquitted of firing a gun through a car sunroof while with his then-girlfriend Samantha Taylor and friend Darren Fresco on November 30, 2012, and cleared of illegally possessing ammunition.

Oscar Pistorius pictured leaving court after his bail was extended

The Paralympian and Olympian was freed on bail and will return to court in Pretoria on October 13 to be sentenced.

Nathi Mncube, for the National Prosecuting Authority, said he was "disappointed" Pistorius was convicted of only two charges.

Speaking outside the court he said: "We respect the judgment that has been delivered.

"We believed in this instance there was enough evidence to secure a conviction under premeditated murder.

"Of course we are disappointed. We are disappointed we did not secure a conviction under premeditated murder and also there was acquittal on the other two (gun) charges."

He said it was too early to decide whether prosecutors would launch an appeal.

Ms Steenkamp's family has not yet commented on any of the verdicts.

Her parents June and Barry Steenkamp were in court for the judgement.

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