Oscar Pistorius Found Not Guilty: Paddy Power Makes Payouts

Oscar Pistorius has been found Not Guilty of murdering his wife model Reeva Steenkamp in a case that has been widely covered by the gambling world following Irish bookmaker Paddy Power’s decision to take wagers on the outcome.

Judge Thokozile Matilda Masipa did find Pistorius guilty of culpable homicide, however, which can bring a maximum prison sentence of 15 years.  Sentencing is scheduled for October 13, whereby it will be determined whether Pistorius serves any prison time and, if so, for how long.

Pistorius, a paraplegic runner, claimed he shot into a locked bathroom believing an intruder had entered the residence he shared with then 29-year-old Steenkamp.  Instead he fatally wounded his girlfriend.

The judge Thursday expressed apprehension about Pistorius’ overreaction to the events that transpired the night of the shooting.

“Many people in this country have experienced crime, but they have not resorted to sleeping with a firearm under their pillow,” she said.

Paddy Power was widely condemned for taking bets on the outcome at the time of the trial.  They were also blasted for seemingly mocking Pistorius' disabilities.

At one point they capitalized on the Academy Awards airing by featuring an advertisement of Pistorius in the form of an Oscar statuette with the caption: “Oscar Time. Money back if he walks. We will refund all losing bets on the Oscar Pistorius trial if he is found not guilty”.

The United Kingdom's strict ad code enforcement agency would eventually order Paddy Power to remove any offensive advertisements related to the trial.

The ruling comes at an odd time as the world is reeling over a shocking video tape that surfaced showing now suspended Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice clocking his then fiancé in the wife of an elevator. 

Many have claimed that Steenkamp’s death was a result of domestic abuse as news reports suggest there had been previous incidents of a "domestic nature" at the address.  Steenkamp herself spoke out against domestic abuse at various events.

- Jagajeet Chiba, Gambling911.com