Judge Thokozile Masipa Rules Blade Runner Oscar Pistorius Not Guilty of Premeditated Murder in the Death of Girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp … Still Faces “Culpable Homicide”(Update: Pistorius Found Guilty of Culpable Homicide)

Oscar Pistorius Found Not Guilty of Murder in Death of  Reeva Steenkamp … Say hello to South Africa’s O.J. Simpson.

This morning Judge Thokozile Masipa ruled the Blade Runner, Oscar Pistorius, was not guilty of premeditated murder in the shooting death of his girl friend Reeva Steenkamp. The shooting took place on Valentine’s Day 2013.  The judge ruled that the prosecution’s evidence to support a charge of premeditated murder was “purely circumstantial.” and “the state clearly has not proved beyond reasonable doubt that the accused is guilty of premeditated murder.”  The judge went on to say that “there are not enough facts.” However, Pistorius is hardly out of trouble as he only has been found “not guilty” of the most serious murder charge. He still faces the lesser charges of “culpable homicide” in the shooting death of his girlfriend.

The judge presiding over the trial of Oscar Pistorius, the Paralympic athlete, cleared him of the two most serious murder charges against him on Thursday, almost certainly sparing him a long prison sentence. But then, after appearing to be on the verge of declaring Mr. Pistorius guilty of a lesser crime, culpable homicide, in the shooting death of his girlfriend, the judge abruptly suspended court proceedings for the rest of the day.

“We’ll have to stop here and resume tomorrow morning,” the judge, Thokozile Matilda Masipa, said less than half an hour after the session had resumed after a lunch break. She did not explain the adjournment.

Judge Masipa then turned to the lesser charge of culpable homicide, which is comparable to involuntary manslaughter, and said Mr. Pistorius had failed three tests to be exonerated of the charge. One considers what a “reasonable” person would have done under the same circumstances.

Reuters – Africa: Pistorius cleared of murder, culpable homicide verdict to come.

“I am of the view that the accused acted too hastily and used excessive force. It is clear that his conduct was negligent,” she told the packed courtroom before adjourning until Friday. She also said he had not acted “reasonably”.

Earlier, Masipa ruled that prosecutors, led by the combative Gerrie Nel, had failed to prove the 27-year-old intended to kill Steenkamp after an argument.

The defence said Pistorius shot Steenkamp as a result of a tragic accident after mistaking her for an intruder hiding behind a locked toilet door.

As Masipa delivered her not-guilty decision on the primary charge of premeditated murder, Pistorius, who would have faced at least 25 years behind bars if convicted, sat sobbing in the dock, tears streaming down his cheeks.

Culpable homicide – the South African equivalent of Britain’s manslaughter – carries up to 15 years in prison but has no minimum sentence.

Although Masipa described Pistorius as a “very poor” and “evasive” witness, she said it did not mean he was necessarily guilty in a case heavily reliant on circumstantial evidence

ABC News:  Judge Masipa called Pistorius a “very poor witness” during the murder trial and found he was at times vague and avoided answering some of the prosecution’s questions. Despite that, she says this does not necessarily indicate his guilt. From the wording of the judge’s decision in the not guilty verdict of murder and premeditated murder,m it seems almost a certainty that she will find him guilty of culpable homicide.

 A verdict on the charge of culpable homicide, similar to manslaughter in the United States, still remains. Pistorius also faces two counts of discharging a gun in a public area, as well as illegal possession of ammunition.

If he is found guilty of murder without premeditation, or culpable homicide, he could receive a 15-year sentence as a first time offender. Mitigating factors, such as his emotional state, anxiety levels and disability could result in a lesser sentence.

The Guardian: LIVE updated coverage of the trial of Oscar Pistorius.

UPDATE I: Oscar Pistorius found guilty of culpable homicide

Olympic and Paralympic track star Oscar Pistorius was convicted of culpable homicide on Friday, escaping the more serious charge of murder for the killing of his girlfriend, and will now battle to avoid going to prison.

The 27-year-old double amputee, who became one of the biggest names in world athletics, stood impassively in the dock, his hands folded in front of him, as Judge Thokozila Masipa delivered her verdict.

Pistorius was also convicted of firing a pistol under the table of a packed Johannesburg restaurant but cleared of two other firearms charges – illegal possession of ammunition and firing a pistol out of the sun-roof of a car.

NCAA College Football: BIG 10 … BIG JOKE … BIG FLOP … What Has Happened to this Conference, Disastrous Day for BIG TEN

WHAT WAS THAT? Sorry, but the BIG 10 can now longer be considered a power conference …

For years many have questioned the conference and the strength of scheduling of non-conference games. Now it is just time to question whether the BIG 10 can be considered a power conference after the disastrous Saturday they just suffered through.  Two weeks into the 2014 NCAA college football season, there have been no Big 10 conference games and there is already one team with 2 losses and 5 teams with one loss. However, nothing compared to the carnage that took place yesterday, when an already questioned conference was thoroughly embarrassed.  How can the best thing that can be said of your conference be that at least Michigan St. was ahead at half time over the Oregon Ducks before they completely fell apart in the second half, or Wisconsin beating Western Illinois (who?) or Penn St. beating the Akron Zips, 21-3? Maybe PSU should play all their games in Ireland?

Of the 13 games played by Big 10 teams yesterday, mercifully Indiana was idle, they went 8-5. Sound not so bad, eh? WRONG! From the 8 wins, 2 came late in the game against much less talented opponents. Nebraska barely squeaked by McNeese State 31-24, Iowa needed a 4th quarter rally to defeat Ball St. 17-13 and Illinois had to muster all they could to defeat Western Kentucky 42-34. ARE YOU KIDDING? Then there was Purdue and Northwestern who lost to teams from the MAC. Folks, the reason why so-called power conferences schedule these games is to bad their win totals and treat them like pre-season for conference play.

What happened to the Big Ten, Bo Schembechler, Woody Hayes, Henry Williams, Bernie Bierman and Duffy Daugherty are all rolling over in their graves.

But instead of breaking the perception that the BIG 10 is a weak conference, yesterday’s play only further exposed the Big 10, yet again. The BIG 10 is once again not ready for prime time. Sparty and the Michigan St. Spartans actually lead at the half against the high powered Ducks and appeared to be on their way to an impressive win, then the wheels came off. Sure Ohio St. is without their starting QB, but they were the #8 team and should have been able to find a way to defeat an unranked VA Tech team. Instead, the Ohio St QB was sacked all day and threw 3 interceptions. Then came what may have been the clunker of the day from the Big 10 when the Michigan Wolverines traveled to Notre Dame for the last scheduled time in this storied rivalry. One would think that would be all the motivation? NOT! The Fighting Irish destroyed Michigan 31-0. It could have been worse than that.

No. 3 Oregon 46, No. 7 Michigan State 27
Virginia Tech 35, No. 8 Ohio State 21
No. 18 Wisconsin 37, Western Illinois 3
No. 16 Notre Dame 31, Michigan 0
Central Michigan 38, Purdue 17
Iowa 17, Ball State 13
Maryland 24, USF 17
Northern Illinois 23, Northwestern 15
Penn State 21, Akron 3
No. 19 Nebraska 31, McNeese State 24
Illinois 42, Western Kentucky 34
Rutgers 38, Howard 25
Minnesota 35, Middle Tennessee 24

What we learned yesterday from the Big Ten … None, and I repeat none of these teams belong in the conversation for the Final 4 and the National Championship. A two loss SEC team is better than any team in this conference. Hey Cornhuskers, its time to go back to the Big 12, Big 8, whatever they call the conference these days.

Best Thing to Happen On or Off the Field at Fenway Park All Year … Boy Gives His Baseball To Young Girl, “Somebody has made a friend”

FEEL GOOD HAPPY STORY OF THE WEEK, THERE REALLY IS HOPE FOR THE FUTURE …

CAUTION: RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS … The Boston Red Sox have had an abysmal year as they currently find themselves at 62 wins, 79 losses and in last place in the AL East. In the past three years, they will have gone from worst, to first, back to worst. However, the video below shows what may be, no is the best thing that has happened all year at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts.  Watch 12 year old Ryan give the little girl behind him, who he did not know, his baseball. And he made a new friend. What a little gentleman. Kudos to his mom, raising your son the right way. NICE!

In this day and age where we only hear about the negative, it is nice to see that kids still have manners and know to do the right thing. Way to go Ryan!

The Blaze:

One mother was left astonished Friday night at Fenway Park when a young baseball fan immediately handed her daughter a foul ball he had just received on the third base line.

The nice gesture, which Major League Baseball referred to as a “power move” in a tweet, also grabbed the attention of the two broadcasters.

“I think that’s one of the nicest things I’ve seen at the ballpark all year,” one said.

“Somebody has made a friend,” the other echoed.

San Francisco 49′ers DE Ray McDonald Arrested on Domestic Violence Charges … Will Test NFL’s New Tougher Penalties for Players Accused of Domestic Violence

29 year old San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Ray McDonald was arrested early Sunday morning on domestic violence charges.  Police officers responded to a call at 2:48 a.m. PT as the incident occurred on Bentley Ridge Drive, part of an upscale San Jose, CA neighborhood. McDonald’s arrest occurred just three days after NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announced tougher penalties for players accused of domestic violence where under the league’s newly implemented personal conduct policy, a first domestic-violence offense will result in a six-game ban and a second in a lifetime ban from the NFL. McDonald was previously arrested for DUI in Santa Clara County, CA in 2010.

This should be interesting what happens to Ray McDonald going forward with the 49′ers as Coach Jim Harbaugh has stated in the past he had zero tolerance for those that would put their hands on a woman. Time for Harbaugh to put some action to his words.

Coach Jim Harbaugh has told 49ers players that domestic violence would not be tolerated on his team.

“He said that we can do anything in the world and we can come and talk to him and he’ll forgive us except put our hands on women,” former 49ers safety Donte Whitner said in 2012. “If you put your hand on a woman, then you’re done in his book.”

Ray McDonald- (San Jose Police Department)

San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Ray McDonald has been arrested on domestic violence charges.

San Jose police Sgt. Heather Randol confirmed that McDonald, 29, was taken into custody early Sunday after officers responded to a call at 2:48 a.m. PT.

McDonald was jailed on felony domestic violence charges and was in the custody of the Santa Clara Sheriff’s Department before posting bail Sunday afternoon

49ers’ Ray McDonald arrested Sunday for felony domestic abuse.

Police arrived at 2:48 a.m. to McDonald’s home, where a party was being held in honor of McDonald’s birthday. He turns 30 Tuesday.

McDonald apparently was involved in an altercation with his fiancee, whom a police source said is 10 weeks pregnant. When she showed police minor bruises on her neck and arms, McDonald was arrested without incident.

McDonald was booked at 5:30 a.m. in Santa Clara County jail for “inflicting injury on a spouse or cohabitant,” according to the Santa Clara County Department of Corrections. Bail was set at $25,000 and McDonald was released at 11:30 a.m.

Get ready for the 49er’s D-line to take a hit as Ray McDonald will be suspended for a mandatory 6 games, added to the already suspended for 9 games pass rusher Aldon Smith for multiple off-field incidents. Hmm, I wonder if they will be giving DE Michael Sam a call?

First Openly Gay Football PlayerDrafted by NFL Team Michael Sam Has Been Cut By St. Louis Rams (Update: Clears Waivers)(Update: SF 49′ers Appear to Need D-Line Help)

CUT!!!

Michael Sam, the first openly gay football player drafted by an NFL team has been cut by the St. Louis Rams. According to Rams head coach Jeff Fisher, the decision to cut Sam was “a football decision” Fisher said he was “proud” to be a part of the historic moment when Sam was drafted, but he also thought the emphasis on Sam’s sexual orientation was overblown. In the end Fisher and the Rams both stated that Sam’s sexual orientation was not a factor in the decision to cut him. I would have to agree as it was also a football decision to draft him.

I am sure the gay activists will disagree.

As reported at ESPN, Michael Sam officially hit waivers Saturday at 4 p.m. ET when all NFL teams had to trim their rosters down to the league-mandated 53 players. From there, the other 31 teams will have until noon ET on Sunday to put in a claim for Sam. If he goes unclaimed, he will be free to sign with a practice squad.

But just curious, notice that ESPN did not go out of their way to mention the many other players who were cut and had their dreams of playing in the NFL crushed. So, for the St. Louis Rams the decision may not have been about Sam’s sexual orientation, but for the media, that was the only thing it was about.

NBC NEWS:

Michael Sam, the first openly gay football player drafted by an NFL team, was cut by the St. Louis Rams Saturday but one of the nation’s most prominent gay-rights organizations and the team’s coach predicted the defensive end will start the regular season with another team.

“This is not the last of Michael Sam,” Sarah Kate Ellis, president and CEO of gay-rights advocacy group GLAAD, said in a statement. “America is ready for its first openly gay NFL player, and Sam’s strong preseason performance leaves us confident that he’ll be wearing an NFL jersey come the regular season kickoff.”

Rams head coach Jeff Fisher told reporters Saturday that the decision to cut Sam was “a football decision,” and that competition to make the team was an uphill battle because the Rams is deep in the position he plays. Sam, 24, came out in February and was the first openly gay player drafted in the history of the NFL when the Rams picked him in the seventh round.

UPDATE I: Michael Sam clears waivers, unlikely to stay with Rams.

Michael Sam is unlikely to have a future with the Ram’s as they are deep at the defensive line, which makes me wonder why any NFL team would waste a draft pick in the first place for a position that you had no need to draft for. Any how, maybe he will get a look-see in San Francisco, they appear to be in need of D-line help.

All 21 players released Saturday cleared waivers. Sam’s future was a major topic on Twitter, some of it vitriol, some reasoned.

The Rams appeared unlikely to re-sign Sam to the 10-player practice squad because the defensive line is their strongest unit and they need help elsewhere.