South African judge begins verdict in Pistorius murder trial
PRETORIA, Sept 11 (Reuters) - South African Judge Thokozile Masipa began reading her verdict in the 6-month murder trial of Paralympic and Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius on Thursday, in a detailed ruling expected to conclude the following day.
Pistorius, the double amputee who became one of the biggest names in athletics, shot dead his model and law graduate girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine's Day last year.
The state has called for a verdict of premeditated murder, which could carry a sentence of 25 years in prison. Pistorius says he shot Steenkamp through a locked toilet door in a tragic accident believing she was an intruder. (Reporting by Stella Mapenzauswa; Writing by Joe Brock; Editing by Ed Cropley)
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![FROM ITV\\n\\nSTRICT EMBARGO - No Use Before Sunday 5 October 2014\\n\\n\\nEmmerdale - Ep 6998\\n\\nTuesday 14 October 2014\\n\\n Charity Macey [EMMA ATKINS] comes round after having been abducted. She realises she is locked up and chained to the side of an empty shipping container. She bangs on the walls, calling out but to no avail. \\n\\nPicture contact: david.crook@itv.com on 0161 952 6214\\n\\nPhotographer - Joseph Scanlon\\nThis photograph is (C) ITV Plc and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above, or ITV plc. Once made available by ITV plc Picture Desk, this photograph can be reproduced once only up until the transmission [TX] date and no reproduction fee will be charged. Any subsequent usage may incur a fee. This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Desk](http://web.archive.org/web/20141005212756im_/http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/10/05/1412467192387_Puff_Image_galleryImage_FROM_ITV_n_nSTRICT_EMBARG.JPG)
