Steenkamp's parents say 'justice not served' after Pistorius acquitted of murder

Oscar Pistorius' deceased girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp's parents have said that justice was not served after the Paralympic runner was acquitted of murdering their daughter.

June and Barry Steenkamp revealed their disbelief that the court had believed Pistorius' version of events. Judge Thokozile Masipa found the Blade Runner guilty of the lesser charge of culpable homicide, saying the state had failed to prove he intended to kill.

Pistorius has been allowed bail ahead of sentencing on 13 October. Judge Masipa said that the athlete had acted negligently when he shot his girlfriend through a toilet door, but in the belief that there was an intruder, The BBC reported.

The Paralympic runner had strenuously denied murdering Reeva after a row on Valentine's Day last year, saying that he shot her by accident, mistaking her for an intruder in his Pretoria home.

But Reeva's mother June Steenkamp said that this verdict is not justice for her daughter, and added that she just wants the truth. She said that Pistorius shot through the door and she cannot believe that the court believes it was an accident.

Earlier, Arnold Pistorius, the athlete's uncle, had said the family was deeply grateful to the judge for finding him not guilty of murder and that a big burden had been lifted.

Arnold added that there are no victors in this. He said that they as a family remain deeply affected by the devastating, tragic event as it won't bring Reeva back but their hearts still go out for her family and friends.

South Africa's prosecuting authority said it was disappointed that Pistorius was not convicted of murder but said it would wait until after sentencing to decide whether to appeal.

Pistorius faces up to 15 years in jail, although the judge could suspend the sentence or only impose a fine.

Pistorius was also found guilty on a charge of negligently handling a firearm that went off in a restaurant. He was acquitted of another charge of firing a gun in public, through the sunroof of a car, and of a charge of illegal possession of ammunition in the home where he killed Steenkamp, the report added.