Pretoria, South Africa (CNN) -- Oscar Pistorius did not commit murder the night he killed Reeva Steenkamp, a judge said Thursday. 
 
 He did not intend to kill her, Judge Thokozile Masipa said. 
 
 But his conduct was "negligent," she said before adjourning for the day, suggesting she will find the Olympian guilty of culpable homicide. 
 
 There is no minimum sentence for culpable homicide in South African law. It's up to the judge to decide. 
 
 As he fired four bullets into the bathroom of his home in Pretoria on Valentine's Day last year, he did not foresee the "possibility that he would kill the person behind the door, let alone the deceased, as he thought she was in the bedroom at the time," Masipa said. 
 
 Evidence suggests that Pistorius genuinely believed the person in the bathroom was an intruder, although that is irrelevant to the case, the judge said. 
 
 Pistorius could have taken other actions when he thought there was an intruder, she said. "All the accused had to do was to pick up his cell phone to call security or the police," she said. 
 
 "He could have run to the balcony and screamed in the same way he screamed after the incident," she added, noting that Pistorius called security after the incident and could have done so when he heard what he thought was an intruder. 
 
 Judge: Pistorius' background no excuse 
 
 Defense arguments that his upbringing "in a crime-riddled environment and in a home where the mother was paranoid and always carried a firearm" might explain his conduct that night, but "it does not excuse the conduct," Masipa said. 
 
 "The accused had reasonable time to reflect, to think and to conduct himself reasonably," she said. "I am not persuaded that a reasonable person with the accused's disabilities in the same circumstances would have fired four shots into that small toilet cubicle." 
 
 Following the country's legal standard for determining culpable homicide, Masipa found that "a reasonable person" would have "foreseen the reasonable possibility" that whoever was in the bathroom might have been killed, and would have "taken steps to guard against that possibility," she said. 
 
 "I am of the view that the accused acted too hastily and used excessive force," she said, adding that under the circumstances, "it is clear that his conduct was negligent." 
 
 Pistorius could be seen crying at times during the reading of the lengthy verdict. 
 
 The Olympian's trial in the death of his model and law graduate girlfriend started six months ago, transfixing the world with graphic details of how he fatally shot Steenkamp. 
 
 Before she rejected the premeditated murder charge, Masipa questioned why he fired "not one ... but four shots" into the bathroom before he went to find his girlfriend. 
 
 However, she said, the intention to shoot does not necessarily mean the intent to kill. 
 
 Judge: Pistorius knew right from wrong 
 
 "Court is satisfied that at the relevant time, the accused could distinguish between right and wrong," and act accordingly, she said. 
 
 Masipa cast doubt on witness testimony and said she believes media coverage contaminated testimonies. She doubted state witnesses, saying they were in and out of sleep the night of the killing. 
 
 "Technology is more reliable than human perception and human memory," she said. 
 
 She described the victim's wound as "immediately incapacitating" and said she believed a scream heard by witnesses the night of the killing was Pistorius,' not Steenkamp's. 
 
 The judge appeared to be accepting the defense timeline of events that the shots came first, then screaming that must have been Pistorius. 
 
 She knocked down some aspects of the state's case: the fact that Steenkamp took her phone and locked herself in the bathroom allegedly out of fear for her safety, phone messages between the couple that showed some rocky patches, and her stomach contents. 
 
 Barry and June Steenkamp sat expressionless a few rows behind the man on trial for killing their daughter. Her father bowed his head as he heard about his daughter's fatal wounds. 
 
 Pistorius' uncle, sister and brother also attended the hearing in the packed courtroom -- the latter in a wheelchair from a car accident. 
 
 Lesser charges 
 
 Pistorius also faces three weapons charges. 
 
 The most serious relates to ammunition found in his house when police searched it after the killing. He did not have a proper license for it, but he says he was storing it in his safe for his father. 
 
 If he is found guilty of the ammunition charge, he could face up to 15 years in prison, though the judge could opt for a lesser punishment such as a fine or the loss of his gun license. 
 
 Two other charges are related to allegations that he recklessly fired a gun in public -- once in a restaurant in 2012, and again out of the sunroof of a car last year. Pistorius denies both. 
 
 The maximum penalty for each charge is five years behind bars. If he is convicted of either, he could face a lesser sentence, such as a fine or the loss of his gun license. 
 
 READ: Triumph over adversity, until the fall 
 
 READ: Judge holds athlete's fate in her hands 
 
 CNN's Richard Greene reported from Pretoria; Faith Karimi and Josh Levs reported from Atlanta. CNN's Emily Smith contributed to this report. ||||| Oscar Pistorius wept in court as he was cleared of the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp - but a judge could still find him guilty of manslaughter. 
 
 Judge Thokozile Masipa told the court there was "no doubt" when Pistorius fired his gun "he acted unlawfully", and will rule on Friday whether he is guilty of the lesser charge - known as culpable homicide in South Africa - over the 29-year-old model's death. 
 
 At the end of Thursday's hearing she found the track star acted "negligently", "too hastily", used "excessive force" and failed to take steps to avoid the resultant death. 
 
 And she questioned why he called security after the shooting - but not before for help. 
 
 The athlete breaks down in court upon hearing the details of the shooting 
 
 She stopped short of giving an actual verdict on manslaughter - which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison - and dramatically adjourned proceedings. 
 
 Sky's Alex Crawford, who has been in the courtroom throughout the trial, said: "We are left sort of hanging - however, I feel she has given a fairly strong indication that she is heading towards culpable homicide because there appears to be no other option." 
 
 Play video "Inside The Oscar Pistorius House" Video: Inside The Oscar Pistorius House 
 
 Earlier, Judge Masipa cleared the world-renowned athlete of both premeditated and murder without premeditation. 
 
 She told the trial "there are not enough facts" to support the prosecution case that the athlete intended to kill Ms Steenkamp. 
 
 The judge said the charge of premeditated murder relied on "circumstantial evidence" from the State. 
 
 Play video "Profile: Who Is Oscar Pistorius?" Video: Profile: Who Is Oscar Pistorius? 
 
 "The State has not proved beyond reasonable doubt that the accused is guilty of premeditated murder. There are just not enough facts to support such a finding," she said. 
 
 The verdicts came after she ripped into the athlete - the first amputee to run in both the Olympics and Paralympics - over his evidence, describing him as a "poor" witness who was initially composed, then "contradicted himself" under cross examination. 
 
 Pistorius was charged with one count of murder, two of illegally discharging a firearm - which is unrelated to the death of Ms Steenkamp - and one of illegally possessing ammunition. He pleaded not guilty to all the charges. 
 
 Play video "Pistorius: Not Premeditated Murder" Video: Pistorius: Not Premeditated Murder 
 
 The 27-year-old, his head down and shoulders shaking, was visibly distressed and sobbed in court as the judge recounted the events of Valentine's Day last year. 
 
 The prosecution had suggested he deliberately shot his girlfriend in a jealous rage and pushed for a verdict of premeditated murder which carried a sentence of 25 years in prison. 
 
 Pistorius insisted he shot Ms Steenkamp in a tragic accident, mistaking her for an intruder. 
 
 1 / 24 Gallery: Oscar Pistorius Learns His Fate Double-amputee athlete Oscar Pistorius is emotional in court as the judge reads the reasoning behind her verdict over the shooting death of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp 
 
 South Africa has no jury system so Judge Masipa is deciding on the verdicts herself with the help of two assessors. 
 
 Proceedings kicked off with the judge outlining the facts of the case before the testimonies of each of the 37 witnesses who gave evidence at the six-month-long murder trial. 
 
 Ms Steenkamp's parents - June and Barry Steenkamp - looked on and listened intently to Judge Masipa from a packed public gallery. ||||| Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Oscar Pistorius was asked to stand as the verdicts were read out by the judge 
 
 South African athlete Oscar Pistorius has been found guilty of culpable homicide after the judge found he killed his girlfriend by mistake. 
 
 Judge Thokozile Masipa said the athlete had acted "negligently" when he fired shots through a toilet door, but in the "belief that there was an intruder". 
 
 She said the state had failed to prove he intended to kill Reeva Steenkamp. 
 
 The judge allowed Pistorius to remain on bail ahead of sentencing which is to take place on 13 October. 
 
 The victim's parents, June and Barry Steenkamp, condemned the verdict, saying it was "not justice for Reeva". 
 
 Speaking in an interview with NBC News, June Steenkamp said: "He shot through the door and I can't believe that they believe it was an accident." 
 
 However Arnold Pistorius, the athlete's uncle, said the family was "deeply grateful" to the judge for finding him not guilty of murder and that a "big burden" had been lifted. 
 
 "There are no victors in this," he added. "We as a family remain deeply affected by the devastating, tragic event... It won't bring Reeva back but our hearts still go out for her family and friends." 
 
 Image copyright AP Image caption Reeva Steenkamp's family, including her mother June (pictured) have yet to comment on the verdict 
 
 South Africa's prosecuting authority said it was "disappointed" Pistorius was not convicted of murder but said it would wait until after sentencing to decide whether to appeal. 
 
 The verdict leaves the disgraced sprinter facing up to 15 years in jail, although the judge could suspend the sentence or only impose a fine. 
 
 The BBC's Nomsa Maseko said there was a poignant moment in court when Oscar Pistorius's father and Reeva Steenkamp's father hugged each other as the judge adjourned to consider bail. 
 
 The athlete was also found guilty on a charge of negligently handling a firearm that went off in a restaurant. 
 
 Image copyright Getty Images 
 
 At the scene: Pumza Fihlani, BBC News 
 
 Oscar Pistorius was a picture of composure as the judge announced he was guilty of culpable homicide, a lesser count of murder in South Africa. 
 
 The athlete, who became emotional on Thursday after being described as an "evasive witness", seemed to have been expecting this verdict. The judge had already spoken of his negligence and use of "excessive force" when he fired through the door. 
 
 Some say this verdict is the best outcome he could have hoped for. 
 
 Many South Africans have questioned the judge's decision to acquit him of murder and argue that the prosecution may have grounds to appeal. 
 
 For now, the Pistorius family seem relieved. But in the benches opposite them, friends and relatives of model Reeva Steenkamp wept, while others, including her mother June, seemed shell-shocked. 
 
 Did Steenkamps get justice? 
 
 10 key moments in the trial 
 
 Image copyright AFP Image caption The athlete and Reeva Steenkamp had been dating for three months before the fatal shooting 
 
 Image copyright EPA Image caption Just after the verdicts came in, police released photographs of the crime scene 
 
 Image copyright EPA Image caption A bloodied Oscar Pistorius was pictured in the aftermath of the shooting 
 
 INTERACTIVE 1 2 3 5 4 × 
 
 × Balcony × Mr Pistorius said he and Ms Steenkamp had dinner at about 19:00 before going to bed at 21:00. He said he woke in the early hours, spoke briefly to his girlfriend and got up to close the sliding door and curtains. Judge Thokozile Masipa questioned the reliability of several witnesses who said they heard screams and gunshots between about 03:12 and 03:17, saying most had 'got facts wrong'. 
 
 × Bathroom noise × Mr Pistorius said he heard the bathroom window sliding open and believed that an intruder, or intruders, had entered the bathroom through a window which was not fitted with burglar bars. Mr Pistorius said he grabbed his firearm and told Ms Steenkamp, who he thought was still in bed, to call the police. The judge said it made no sense that Ms Steenkamp did not hear him scream 'Get out' or call the police, as she had her mobile phone with her. 
 
 × Shooting × Mr Pistorius could see the bathroom window was open and toilet door closed. He said he did not know whether the intruders were outside on a ladder or in the toilet. He had his firearm in front of him, he heard a movement inside the toilet and thought whoever was inside was coming out to attack him. 'Before I knew it, I had fired four shots at the door,' he said. The judge said she did not accept that Mr Pistorius fired the gun by accident or before he knew what was happening. She said he had armed himself with a lethal weapon and clearly wanted to use it. The other question, she said, was why he fired not one, but four shots before he ran back to the room to try to find Ms Steenkamp. 
 
 × Bedroom × Mr Pistorius said he went back to the bedroom and noticed that Ms Steenkamp was not there. Mr Pistorius said this was when he realised she could have been in the toilet and rushed back to the bathroom. 
 
 × Toilet door × Mr Pistorius said he screamed for help and went back to the bathroom where he found the toilet was locked. He returned to the bedroom, pulled on his prosthetic legs and turned on the lights before bashing in the toilet door with a cricket bat. When the door panel broke, he found the key and unlocked the door and found Ms Steenkamp slumped on the floor with her head on the toilet bowl. He then carried her downstairs, where he was met by neighbours. 
 
 Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Andrew Harding reports on the background to the verdict 
 
 The double amputee had denied murdering Ms Steenkamp after a row on Valentine's Day last year, saying he shot her by mistake. 
 
 With this the judge agreed, saying "it cannot be said that the accused did not entertain a genuine belief that there was an intruder". 
 
 But she said: "The accused knew there was a person behind the toilet door, he chose to use a firearm. 
 
 "I am of the view the accused acted too hastily and used too much force. It is clear his conduct is negligent." 
 
 Pistorius was convicted on an unrelated firearms charge - negligently handling a firearm that went off in a crowded restaurant. 
 
 He was acquitted of another charge of firing a gun in public, through the sunroof of a car, and of a charge of illegal possession of ammunition in the home where he killed Ms Steenkamp.
– The judge in Oscar Pistorius' trial will not find him guilty of murder, but he could still be found guilty of lesser charges, including culpable homicide—the equivalent of manslaughter. As CNN puts it, "Under South African law, Pistorius will not be found guilty of 'murder.'" According to the AP: "The judge ... appeared to be heading for a culpable homicide finding." Judge Thokozile Masipa said the prosecution failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Pistorius is guilty of premeditated murder, then later said she also found that he is not guilty of intentionally killing Reeva Steenkamp, and finally said she did find him "negligent," which, as the AP notes, strengthens the possibility of a culpable homicide conviction. She then adjourned the trial until tomorrow. Masipa found that Pistorius could not have known the person he was shooting at behind the bathroom door would die, and she also said the evidence suggests he truly believed Steenkamp was still in the bedroom at the time and he was shooting at an intruder. She seemed to accept the defense's version of the timeline: First came the shots, then screaming that she said she believed was coming from Pistorius, not Steenkamp. If Pistorius is found guilty of culpable homicide, the judge can decide on sentence length; there is no minimum. He also faces three weapons charges, and Sky News reports that Masipa did say there is "no doubt" he "acted unlawfully" when firing.