Judge Faces Criticism in Pistorius Trial

 

Harsh criticism follows  the judge who found Oscar Pistorius guilty of culpable homicide, but not guilty of the more serious charge of murder. Police protection for the Judge has been stepped up since the verdict Friday in the sensational case.

Some South Africans said they were surprised and even shocked when Judge Thokozile Masipa ruled last week that the Paralympic champion was negligent but did not intend to kill when he fatally shot girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp through a closed toilet door. Pistorius said he thought a dangerous intruder was in his house; prosecutors alleged he intentionally killed Steenkamp after an argument.

The case will return to the global spotlight when Pistorius, who is free on bail, appears before the judge for a sentencing hearing on Oct. 13.

Masipa, 66, is a former social worker and journalist who became one of the first black female judges in South Africa, which shed white racist rule in 1994. Her supporters have described her as a symbol of accomplishment.