Story highlights Steenkamp's mother says she "can't believe" her daughter's death is considered an accident

Oscar Pistorius' uncle: Family relieved, but there are "no victors " in the verdict

Judge grants Pistorius bail; sentencing starts on October 13

Sentencing will come after more legal argument

A judge found Oscar Pistorius guilty Friday of culpable homicide, the South African term for unintentionally, but unlawfully, killing a person. It's akin to negligent killing.

A day before the verdict, Judge Thokozile Masipa cleared him of murder in the killing of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp.

His sentencing starts on October 13, the judge said after granting him bail.

There is no minimum sentence for culpable homicide in South African law, so it will be up to the judge to decide.

The verdict also dealt with three other charges, all weapons-related.

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Pistorius trial: How was decision reached?

Photos: Steenkamp: Law student to cover girl Photos: Steenkamp: Law student to cover girl Steenkamp: From law student to cover girl – South African model Reeva Steenkamp died in February 2013 after she was shot at the home of her boyfriend, Olympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius. She was 29. Pistorius has been found guilty of the murder, after South Africa's Supreme Court overturned the previous conviction of culpable homicide. Hide Caption 1 of 8 Photos: Steenkamp: Law student to cover girl Reeva Steenkamp: From law student to cover girl – Before she started dating Pistorius, Steenkamp was famous in her own right. She was a law school graduate with a vibrant personality and several modeling contracts under her belt. Hide Caption 2 of 8 Photos: Steenkamp: Law student to cover girl Steenkamp: From law student to cover girl – A 21-year-old Steenkamp poses on a beach in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, where she grew up. Steenkamp's friend Kerry Smith photographed the aspiring model when she was a law student. Hide Caption 3 of 8 Photos: Steenkamp: Law student to cover girl Steenkamp: From law student to cover girl – Steenkamp poses for another photo taken by Smith. Steenkamp was born in Cape Town, but she moved to Johannesburg to pursue modeling. Hide Caption 4 of 8 Photos: Steenkamp: Law student to cover girl Steenkamp: From law student to cover girl – Pistorius admitted to shooting Steenkamp, but he said it was an accident. Hide Caption 5 of 8 Photos: Steenkamp: Law student to cover girl Steenkamp: From law student to cover girl – Steenkamp appeared as a contestant on a South African reality show, "Tropika Island of Treasure." Her pre-recorded episode aired two days after her death. Hide Caption 6 of 8 Photos: Steenkamp: Law student to cover girl Steenkamp: From law student to cover girl – Steenkamp served as a presenter for FashionTV in South Africa. She was also an FHM cover girl and the face of cosmetics company Avon. Hide Caption 7 of 8 Photos: Steenkamp: Law student to cover girl Steenkamp: From law student to cover girl – Steenkamp "was the kindest, sweetest human being; an angel on Earth," said Capacity Relations, the agency that represented her. Hide Caption 8 of 8

Photos: Reeva Steenkamp in photos Photos: Reeva Steenkamp in photos Pistorius' girlfriend dies on Valentine's Day – South African model Reeva Steenkamp died early on February 14, 2013, after a shooting at the Pretoria home of her boyfriend, Olympian Oscar Pistorius. Hide Caption 1 of 9 Photos: Reeva Steenkamp in photos Pistorius' girlfriend dies on Valentine's Day – This undated handout picture released on February 14, 2013 by "Ice Models" in South Africa shows model Reeva Steenkamp. Hide Caption 2 of 9 Photos: Reeva Steenkamp in photos Pistorius' girlfriend dies on Valentine's Day – Capacity Relations, the agency that represents Steenkamp, announced her death. "She was the kindest, sweetest human being; an angel on earth and will be sorely missed," the agency said on Twitter. Hide Caption 3 of 9 Photos: Reeva Steenkamp in photos Pistorius' girlfriend dies on Valentine's Day – The model was born in Cape Town and grew up in Port Elizabeth. She later moved to Johannesburg, where she worked for various companies, including Toyota and cosmetics maker Avon. Hide Caption 4 of 9 Photos: Reeva Steenkamp in photos Pistorius' girlfriend dies on Valentine's Day – Steenkamp, who had a law degree, has also worked as a presenter for FashionTV in South Africa and as a FHM covergirl. Hide Caption 5 of 9 Photos: Reeva Steenkamp in photos Pistorius' girlfriend dies on Valentine's Day – Her passion included cars and cooking, and she was set to appear in the Tropika Island of Treasure Show on Saturday, according to the show's website. Hide Caption 6 of 9 Photos: Reeva Steenkamp in photos Pistorius' girlfriend dies on Valentine's Day – "We are deeply saddened and extend our condolences to Reeva's family and friends," the show said in a message on its website. Hide Caption 7 of 9 Photos: Reeva Steenkamp in photos Pistorius' girlfriend dies on Valentine's Day – Steenkamp died after a shooting at the Pretoria home of Olympian Oscar Pistorius. She is pictured here on February 07, 2013 in Johannesburg, South Africa. Hide Caption 8 of 9 Photos: Reeva Steenkamp in photos Pistorius' girlfriend dies on Valentine's Day – A picture taken on January 26, 2013 shows Oscar Pistorius posing next to his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp at Melrose Arch in Johannesburg. Hide Caption 9 of 9

Pistorius was found not guilty of two -- a car sunroof shooting incident and illegal possession of ammunition found at his house.

The judge found Pistorius guilty of the third: a charge involving a shooting at a restaurant. The maximum penalty for that is five years behind bars. But he could get a lesser sentence, such as a fine or the loss of his gun license.

Shortly after the verdict, his uncle said they were relieved that he was convicted of a lesser charge, but there were "no victors" in the case.

"It won't bring Reeva back, but our hearts still go out for her family and friends," Arnold Pistorius said.

Steenkamp's mother, June, told NBC News that Pistorius got the wrong verdict.

"She died a horrible death, a horrible, painful, terrible death and she suffered, you know? I can't believe that they believe that it was an accident," June Steenkamp said.

Weapons charges

In the shooting from the car's sunroof, Masipa said the state failed to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt. She said she didn't find the state's witnesses persuasive, and their versions of events differed.

In the second charge, Pistorius was found not guilty of having illegal ammunition at his house. Masipa said the state failed to introduce evidence that proved he intended to possess the ammunition. Pistorius had said he was storing it in a safe for his father.

In the restaurant shooting, she said the state had proved its case. Pistorius, she said, was trained in the use of guns and should not have handled one at the restaurant.

Letting the world know

Masipa presided impassively over the high-profile trial for months. She finally let the world know what she was thinking on the first day of the verdict Thursday.

Pistorius did not intend to kill his girlfriend, she said, accepting his defense that he thought he was defending himself from an intruder.

Pistorius , 27, has always admitted firing the bullets that killed his girlfriend Steenkamp, a 29-year-old cover model about to turn reality TV star. He pleaded not guilty to murdering her in his home on Valentine's Day last year, saying the killing was a tragic mistake.

But in grabbing his gun and heading toward the supposed threat, Pistorius "acted too hastily and used excessive force," Masipa ruled Thursday.

Photos: Photos: Oscar Pistorius murder trial Photos: Photos: Oscar Pistorius murder trial Oscar Pistorius murder trial – Oscar Pistorius reaches out to his uncle Arnold Pistorius and other family members as he is led out of court in Pretoria, South Africa, after being sentenced to five years in prison on Tuesday, October 21. Pistorius, the first double-amputee runner to compete in the Olympics, was sentenced for culpable homicide in the February 2013 death of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. Hide Caption 1 of 54 Photos: Photos: Oscar Pistorius murder trial Oscar Pistorius murder trial – Pistorius leaves the high court in Pretoria on Monday, October 13. A judge cleared Pistorius of premeditated murder last month, but he was found guilty of culpable homicide -- the South African term for unintentionally, but unlawfully, killing a person. Hide Caption 2 of 54 Photos: Photos: Oscar Pistorius murder trial Oscar Pistorius murder trial – Pistorius speaks with his uncle Arnold Pistorius during his trial at the Pretoria High Court on Friday, September 12. Hide Caption 3 of 54 Photos: Photos: Oscar Pistorius murder trial Oscar Pistorius murder trial – Pistorius cries on the stand in Pretoria on Thursday, September 11, as the judge reads notes while delivering her verdict. Hide Caption 4 of 54 Photos: Photos: Oscar Pistorius murder trial Oscar Pistorius murder trial – Pistorius arrives at court on September 11. Hide Caption 5 of 54 Photos: Photos: Oscar Pistorius murder trial Oscar Pistorius murder trial – Pistorius speaks to someone in court as his murder trial resumes in Pretoria on Thursday, August 7. Hide Caption 6 of 54 Photos: Photos: Oscar Pistorius murder trial Oscar Pistorius murder trial – Pistorius sits in court in Pretoria on Tuesday, July 8. Hide Caption 7 of 54 Photos: Photos: Oscar Pistorius murder trial Oscar Pistorius murder trial – Pistorius arrives at court in Pretoria on Monday, July 7. Hide Caption 8 of 54 Photos: Photos: Oscar Pistorius murder trial Oscar Pistorius murder trial – Pistorius yawns during day 37 of his murder trial on June 3. Hide Caption 9 of 54 Photos: Photos: Oscar Pistorius murder trial Oscar Pistorius murder trial – Pistorius hugs a supporter Wednesday, July 2. Hide Caption 10 of 54 Photos: Photos: Oscar Pistorius murder trial Oscar Pistorius murder trial – Pistorius listens to evidence being presented in court on Monday, June 30. Hide Caption 11 of 54 Photos: Photos: Oscar Pistorius murder trial Oscar Pistorius murder trial – Pistorius leaves the court in Pretoria on Tuesday, May 20. Hide Caption 12 of 54 Photos: Photos: Oscar Pistorius murder trial Oscar Pistorius murder trial – Pistorius reads notes during his trial on Monday, May 12. Hide Caption 13 of 54 Photos: Photos: Oscar Pistorius murder trial Oscar Pistorius murder trial – Ballistics expert Tom "Wollie" Wolmarans testifies for the defense on May 12. Hide Caption 14 of 54 Photos: Photos: Oscar Pistorius murder trial Oscar Pistorius murder trial – A red laser dot points at bullet holes in the bathroom door for a forensic demonstration during the trial on May 12. Pistorius admits firing four bullets through the closed door, killing Steenkamp, but says he thought he was protecting himself from a burglar. Hide Caption 15 of 54 Photos: Photos: Oscar Pistorius murder trial Oscar Pistorius murder trial – Pistorius returns to court as his murder trial resumes Monday, May 5, after a break of more than two weeks. Hide Caption 16 of 54 Photos: Photos: Oscar Pistorius murder trial Oscar Pistorius murder trial – Pistorius gets a hug from a woman as he leaves court in Pretoria on Wednesday, April 16. Hide Caption 17 of 54 Photos: Photos: Oscar Pistorius murder trial Oscar Pistorius murder trial – Pistorius rubs his eye Tuesday, April 15, after testifying during his murder trial. Hide Caption 18 of 54 Photos: Photos: Oscar Pistorius murder trial Oscar Pistorius murder trial – Pistorius arrives at the court in Pretoria on Monday, April 14. Hide Caption 19 of 54 Photos: Photos: Oscar Pistorius murder trial Oscar Pistorius murder trial – Pistorius' sister, Aimee, cries in court as she listens to her brother's testimony on Tuesday, April 8. Hide Caption 20 of 54 Photos: Photos: Oscar Pistorius murder trial Oscar Pistorius murder trial – June Steenkamp, Reeva Steenkamp's mother, reacts as she listens to Pistorius' testimony on April 8. Hide Caption 21 of 54 Photos: Photos: Oscar Pistorius murder trial Oscar Pistorius murder trial – Pistorius is hugged by his aunt Lois Pistorius in court on Monday, April 7. Hide Caption 22 of 54 Photos: Photos: Oscar Pistorius murder trial Oscar Pistorius murder trial – Pistorius sits inside the courtroom as members of his defense team talk in the foreground Friday, March 28. Hide Caption 23 of 54 Photos: Photos: Oscar Pistorius murder trial Oscar Pistorius murder trial – Pistorius leaves court on March 28. The trial was delayed until April 7 because one of the legal experts who will assist the judge in reaching a verdict was sick. Hide Caption 24 of 54 Photos: Photos: Oscar Pistorius murder trial Oscar Pistorius murder trial – Steenkamp's mother, right, and family friend Jenny Strydom react in court Tuesday, March 25, during cross-questioning. Hide Caption 25 of 54 Photos: Photos: Oscar Pistorius murder trial Oscar Pistorius murder trial – Cell phone analyst Francois Moller testifies during the trial on March 25. Questioned by the prosecution, Moller listed in order the calls made and received by Pistorius after he shot Steenkamp. Hide Caption 26 of 54 Photos: Photos: Oscar Pistorius murder trial Oscar Pistorius murder trial – Pistorius cries as he sits in the dock during his trial on Monday, March 24. Hide Caption 27 of 54 Photos: Photos: Oscar Pistorius murder trial Oscar Pistorius murder trial – Pistorius talks to defense attorney Barry Roux on March 24. Hide Caption 28 of 54 Photos: Photos: Oscar Pistorius murder trial Oscar Pistorius murder trial – Pistorius holds his head while members of his family talk behind him on Tuesday, March 18. Hide Caption 29 of 54 Photos: Photos: Oscar Pistorius murder trial Oscar Pistorius murder trial – Steenkamp's mother, wearing the white collared shirt, looks on while a police officer takes notes in court March 18. Hide Caption 30 of 54 Photos: Photos: Oscar Pistorius murder trial Oscar Pistorius murder trial – Pistorius is hugged by his aunt Lois on March 18. Hide Caption 31 of 54 Photos: Photos: Oscar Pistorius murder trial Oscar Pistorius murder trial – Pistorius takes notes Monday, March 17, as his murder trial enters its third week. Hide Caption 32 of 54 Photos: Photos: Oscar Pistorius murder trial Oscar Pistorius murder trial – Pistorius covers his head as he listens to forensic evidence Thursday, March 13. Hide Caption 33 of 54 Photos: Photos: Oscar Pistorius murder trial Oscar Pistorius murder trial – Forensic investigator Johannes Vermeulen, left, is questioned during the trial March 13. Hide Caption 34 of 54 Photos: Photos: Oscar Pistorius murder trial Oscar Pistorius murder trial – Pistorius listens to questions during his trial on Wednesday, March 12. Hide Caption 35 of 54 Photos: Photos: Oscar Pistorius murder trial Oscar Pistorius murder trial – A police officer takes part in a court reconstruction March 12. A police forensic expert said Pistorius was on the stumps of his amputated legs when he knocked down a locked toilet door with a cricket bat to reach his shot girlfriend. That counters the track star's assertion he was wearing his prosthetic legs at the time. Defense attorney Barry Roux countered by suggesting that even with his prosthetic legs on, Pistorius would not be swinging a bat at the same height as an able-bodied person. Hide Caption 36 of 54 Photos: Photos: Oscar Pistorius murder trial Oscar Pistorius murder trial – Pistorius listens to cross-questioning on Monday, March 10. Hide Caption 37 of 54 Photos: Photos: Oscar Pistorius murder trial Oscar Pistorius murder trial – Friends of Steenkamp's family watch Pistorius during his trial on March 7. Hide Caption 38 of 54 Photos: Photos: Oscar Pistorius murder trial Oscar Pistorius murder trial – Pistorius covers his ears on Thursday, March 6, as a witness speaks about the morning Steenkamp was killed. Hide Caption 39 of 54 Photos: Photos: Oscar Pistorius murder trial Oscar Pistorius murder trial – Pistorius' sister, Aimee, right, speaks with members of Steenkamp's family on March 6. Hide Caption 40 of 54 Photos: Photos: Oscar Pistorius murder trial Oscar Pistorius murder trial – Pistorius sits in court on the third day of his trial Wednesday, March 5. Hide Caption 41 of 54 Photos: Photos: Oscar Pistorius murder trial Oscar Pistorius murder trial – Pistorius appears on the second day of his trial Tuesday, March 4. Hide Caption 42 of 54 Photos: Photos: Oscar Pistorius murder trial Oscar Pistorius murder trial – Members of the media work during a break in proceedings March 4. Hide Caption 43 of 54 Photos: Photos: Oscar Pistorius murder trial Oscar Pistorius murder trial – Pistorius talks with Roux inside the court on March 4. Hide Caption 44 of 54 Photos: Photos: Oscar Pistorius murder trial Oscar Pistorius murder trial – Pistorius speaks with his legal representatives on March 4. Hide Caption 45 of 54 Photos: Photos: Oscar Pistorius murder trial Oscar Pistorius murder trial – Pistorius is escorted out of the court Monday, March 3, after the first day of his murder trial. Hide Caption 46 of 54 Photos: Photos: Oscar Pistorius murder trial Oscar Pistorius murder trial – People try to get a glimpse of Pistorius as he leaves the court building on March 3. Hide Caption 47 of 54 Photos: Photos: Oscar Pistorius murder trial Oscar Pistorius murder trial – Pistorius is seen shortly after arriving for his trial on March 3. Hide Caption 48 of 54 Photos: Photos: Oscar Pistorius murder trial Oscar Pistorius murder trial – Pistorius walks into the courtroom on March 3. Hide Caption 49 of 54 Photos: Photos: Oscar Pistorius murder trial Oscar Pistorius murder trial – Pistorius takes a drink of water March 3 during his trial. Hide Caption 50 of 54 Photos: Photos: Oscar Pistorius murder trial Oscar Pistorius murder trial – The case has captivated South Africa. Here, Lauren Wentzel watches the proceedings from her home outside Cape Town on March 3. Hide Caption 51 of 54 Photos: Photos: Oscar Pistorius murder trial Oscar Pistorius murder trial – June Steenkamp arrives at the court building for the start of the trial. Hide Caption 52 of 54 Photos: Photos: Oscar Pistorius murder trial Oscar Pistorius murder trial – Pistorius' relatives wait inside the courtroom on March 3. Hide Caption 53 of 54 Photos: Photos: Oscar Pistorius murder trial Oscar Pistorius murder trial – People at the court building wait for Pistorius' arrival on March 3. Hide Caption 54 of 54

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"His conduct was negligent" and not what a reasonable man would do in the circumstances -- not even a disabled one, she said.

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.

Not guilty of murder

Masipa on Thursday found Pistorius not guilty of murder, premeditated or otherwise.

She said the prosecution had failed to prove its case that Pistorius and Steenkamp argued on the night of the killing, and that the Olympic track star then shot her in a rage.

Masipa was not persuaded by the testimony of neighbors who said they heard shouting, screaming and shots.

The neighbors' stories do not match the timings on phone records the night of the killing, she concluded, saying: "Technology is more reliable than human perception and human memory."

She said she believed media coverage had contaminated testimonies, and that state witnesses were in and out of sleep the night of the killing.

She knocked down other key 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 stomach contents that might suggest the victim ate later than Pistorius said.

Pistorius wept softly during the reading of the lengthy verdict.