Oscar Pistorius: Judge Masipa says 'Blade Runner' can't be convicted of murder

Pretoria, South Africa – (NBC News) A judge cleared Oscar Pistorius of murder on Thursday, but said there was “no doubt” the double-amputee acted unlawfully when he shot and killed his girlfriend.

After ruling out that Pistorius’ actions were premeditated, Judge Thokozile Masipa also said the athlete could not be found guilty of the lesser charge of murder.

“Clearly he did not subjectively foresee this as a possibility that he would kill the person behind the door, let alone the deceased as he thought she was in the bedroom,” Masipa told the court as Pistorius sobbed and shook in the dock.

“That, however, is not the end of the matter,” Masipa said, pausing for lunch before returning briefly to begin considering the notion of “culpable homicide” – similar to a manslaughter charge in the U.S.

She told the court that there was “no reason nor explanation” why Pistorius didn’t call for help if he suspected an intruder and why he instead picked up a loaded gun.

Masipa said she was “not convinced that a reasonable person” with the same disability as the double amputee would have fired four shots into the bathroom without realizing that the person inside could be killed.

“In the circumstances, it is clear that his conduct was negligent,” she said, then abruptly adjourned court for the day. The verdict will continue on Friday.