The judge in Pretoria, South Africa presiding over the Oscar Pistorius trial cleared the Olympic and Paralympic athlete of the two most serious murder charges against him.  But she said Pistorius was guilty of the lesser charge of culpable homicide, and continued the proceeding until Friday.

“We’ll have to stop here and resume tomorrow morning,” said Judge Thokozile Matilda Masipa without any further explanation.

All along, Pistorius claimed he never planned on shooting and killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkmp on the morning of Valentine’s Day in 2013, saying he shot her because he thought she was a burglar in his en suite.  Despite the prosecution entering evidence of loud arguments between Pistorius and Steenkamp, Judge Mapisa said it didn’t prove premeditation. 

But she also said Pistorius’ fear of crime should have been no different than anyone else in a country with a high crime rate.  “Many people in this country have experienced crime, but they have not resorted to sleeping with a firearm under their pillow,” said Judge Mapisa, adding that Pistorius acted hastily and had been negligent.

Before adjourning the proceeding, Mapisa said a reasonable person would not have shot through the bathroom door.  Later on Friday, she is expected to announce whether the athlete is guilty of culpable homicide, which carries a prison term of up to 15 years.