The family of Oscar Pistorius has thanked a South African judge for acquitting him of murder, saying they had never doubted the runner's story about the night Reeva Steenkamp died was true.
In a short press conference after he was acquitted of murder, but convicted of manslaughter on Friday, Oscar Pistorius' uncle Arnold said a "huge burden" had been lifted from their shoulders.
"On behalf of our family, we would really like to say how grateful we are that Judge Masipa found Oscar not guilty of murder," she said.
"A tragic event like this, there's no victors .... it won't bring Reeva back but our hearts still go out for her family and friends."
Many of those people, including her parents and "Jo-burg family" the Myers, left the court looking very upset with the judge's decision.
They were reportedly "very disappointed" with the judge's verdict to believe the athlete's version that he fired the four shots into the toilet cubicle on February 14 last year in the mistaken belief an intruder had broken into his home.
Pistorius, who left the court immediately after the judge adjourned the case to October 13 for sentencing, was not present as his uncle and aunt spoke to the media.
However, there was reportedly a split in the Pistorius camp about whether making the statement was a good idea.
Pistorius' solicitor Brian Webber reportedly said there was "absolutely no way" there would be a statement, but Arnold Pistorius chose to make one anyway.
