After describing Pistorius, 27, as a “very poor witness” who was “evasive” when questioned, Masipa criticised his actions in the early hours of Valentine’s Day 2013.
“I am of the view that the accused acted too hastily and used excessive force. In the circumstances, it is clear that his conduct was negligent,” she said.
“On the facts of this case I am not persuaded that a reasonable person with the accused’s disabilities in the same circumstances would have fired four shots into that small toilet cubicle.”
She also said that Pistorius “failed to take any steps to avoid the resultant death,” crossing off another prerequisite for a manslaughter conviction.
– Relief and shock –
Following Thursday’s verdict, the Paralympian sprinter sat in the dock bowed and burying his head in his hands.
His sister Aimee rushed from the first row of the public gallery to hug her older brother, who was wiping tears from his eyes with a handkerchief.
His aunt Lois cautioned that the trial was not yet over. “It’s not the end you know, we’re still listening.”
When asked how proceedings went, defence lawyer Barry Roux smiled, but it was short of his usual toothy grin.
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