Pistorius escapes murder charge, verdict out on Friday (Update:-Pistorius)

South African Paralympic athlete Oscar Pistorius's trial has been adjourned after Judge Thokozile Matilda Masipa acquitted the 'Blade Runner', as Pistorius is popularly known, of premeditated murder and of murder. The trial is to continue on Friday, with Judge Masipa expected to also give her verdict.

Pistorius shot his model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp dead on Valentine's Day last year and said that he thought an intruder was behind the door of the toilet in his Pretoria home when he shot through it.

Though the prosecution sought the maximum sentence of premeditated murder, which carries a life sentence, Pistorius still faces a charge of culpable homicide, which carries a seven to 15 year prison term.

Before she rejected the premeditated murder charge, the Judge questioned why Pistorius fired not one, but four shots into the bathroom before he went to find his girlfriend.

However, the Judge said that the intention to shoot does not necessarily mean the intent to kill, adding that the court is satisfied that at the relevant time, the accused could distinguish between right and wrong and act accordingly.

Steenkamp's parents, Barry and June Steenkamp, are attending the judgement proceedings of Pistorius.

Pistorius' uncle, sister and brother are also attending the hearing in the courtroom.