The uncle of Oscar Pistorius said a “big burden” has been lifted off his family’s shoulders after a South African judge declared the Olympian not guilty of murdering his girlfriend following a six-month trial that made headlines across the globe.

“It’s a big burden off us, off our shoulders,” Arnold Pistorius said following Judge Thokozile Masipa’s ruling that Pistorius was guilty of culpable homicide when he shot to death 29-year-old model Reeva Steenkamp through the bathroom door of his Pretoria home on Feb. 14, 2013.

Pistorius had pleaded not guilty to murder charges, contending that he believed Steenkamp was an intruder that night. But prosecutors sought to show to that the athlete had intentionally murdered Steenkamp following a late-night argument. In her ruling, Masipa said they failed to do that. However, she said Pistorius was acting unlawfully when he shot through the door multiple times.

Shortly after the verdict was handed down on Friday, Arnold Pistorius said in the courtroom that his family “always knew the facts of the matter and we never had any doubt in Oscar’s version of this tragic incident.”

Reading from a prepared statement, Arnold Pistorius said his heart goes out to Steenkamp’s loved ones.

“There’s no victors in this,” he said, adding his family remains deeply affected by the “devastating tragedy.”

“It won’t bring Reeva back, but our hearts still go out for her family and friends,” he said.

‘She’s gone forever’

In an interview with NBC News following the verdict, Steenkamp’s parents said justice was not served.

“I just don’t feel that this is the right sentence,” June Steenkamp said. “They believe his story and I don’t believe that story.”

June Steenkamp said she doesn’t care what happens to Pistorius now.

“It’s not going to change anything, because my daughter is never coming back,” she said. “He’s still living and breathing, and she’s gone forever.”

Public reaction mixed

South African journalist Jerusha Sukhdeo-Raath told CTV News Channel on Friday that public opinion on the verdict appears to be split, with supporters hoping that he won’t have to serve any prison time.

“The other 50 per cent of people really believe Judge Masipa should have found that he murdered Reeva and therefore he should’ve spent life in prison,” Sukhdeo-Raath said.

Pistorius’ sentencing hearing is expected to begin on Oct. 13. The sentence for culpable homicide can range from a suspended sentence and fine to a 15-year prison term.