The judge in the trial of Oscar Pistorius is due to announce if the South African athlete is guilty of the culpable homicide of his girlfriend.
Judge Thokozile Masipa cleared him of murder on Thursday, saying the state had failed to prove he intended to kill the model Reeva Steenkamp last year.
But the judge said his conduct on the night in question had been negligent.
Mr Pistorius admits firing through a toilet door at his home but says he mistook Ms Steenkamp for an intruder.
Prompting tears from the Olympic and Paralympic sprinter, Judge Masipa said he could not have foreseen killing whoever was behind the door - but went on to say that he had acted hastily and with excessive force.
She described his actions as negligent.
BBC correspondents said the judge appeared to be leaning towards the lesser charge of manslaughter, known in South Africa as culpable homicide, when she adjourned unexpectedly for the day.
Media caption
Judge: "He did not subjectively foresee as a possibility that he would kill the person behind the door, let alone the deceased, as he thought she was in the bedroom"
Reeva Steenkamp's parents were composed as they heard the judge's verdict
The Paralympic athlete was mobbed by photographers and onlookers as he left the court
In 2012, Oscar Pistorius made history by becoming the first double amputee to run in the Olympic Games
The charge of culpable homicide implies negligence without intention to kill and could still mean a jail sentence of up to 15 years. Legal experts suggest seven to 10 years is more likely.
The double amputee had denied murdering Ms Steenkamp after a row on Valentine's Day last year, saying he shot her by mistake.
Mr Pistorius, 27, has pleaded not guilty to all the charges he faces, including two counts of shooting a firearm in public and the illegal possession of ammunition.
Analysis: Pumza Fihlani, BBC News, Pretoria High Court
While finding Oscar Pistorius not guilty of murder, Judge Masipa appears to be leaning towards the lesser charge of manslaughter, known in South Africa as culpable homicide.
Minutes after the lunch break, she seemed to be on the verge of announcing her verdict, only to stop abruptly and adjourn until Friday - leading to sighs and gasps in the overflow court.
Following a long trial that has gripped people around the world, Judge Masipa seems to want to give a detailed account before announcing her verdict. South Africa's legal system has also been on trial and many believe the athlete is getting off lightly, possibly because of his fame.
But legal experts argue that the judge has merely followed the law and the evidence before her. The onus was on the state to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt, which the judge said it had failed to do.
How judgement was tweeted
VerdictWhat it meansSentence
Premeditated murderIntended and planned to unlawfully kill Reeva Steenkamp, or an intruderMandatory life term - 25 years before parole
Common-law murderUnlawfully intended to kill in the heat of the moment but without "malice aforethought". Either: shot at door intending to kill, or knew someone might be killed and still fired gunMinimum of 15 years up to 20 years, at judge's discretion
Culpable homicide (manslaughter)No intention to kill. Takes into account disability, but actions negligent and not in keeping with a reasonable personMaximum of 15 years, possibly between seven and 10 years
Discharging a firearm in publicTwo counts for allegedly firing a gun through a car sunroof and discharging a gun at a restaurantA fine or up to five years - for each charge
Illegal possession of ammunitionIn possession of .38 bullets for which he has no licenceA fine or up to 15 years
Most of the trial, which began on 3 March 2014, has been televised and attracted worldwide attention.
Before the fatal shooting, Oscar Pistorius was feted in South Africa and known as the "blade runner".
He had won gold at the London 2012 Paralympic Games and also competed at the Olympics.
Ms Steenkamp, a 29-year-old model and law graduate, was hit three times by bullets shot through the toilet door by Mr Pistorius at his home in the capital, Pretoria, in the early hours of 14 February 2013.
Media caption
The BBC's Andrew Harding has gained access to the house where the shooting took place
He denied the prosecution's allegation that the couple - who had been dating for three months - had rowed. The judge also said she had not been convinced by the efforts to prove that the couple had rowed.
The athlete said he thought his girlfriend was still in the bedroom when he heard a noise in the bathroom, which he believed to be an intruder.
In July, a psychiatric report requested by the judge said Mr Pistorius had post-traumatic stress disorder but no mental illness that could prevent him being held criminally responsible for his actions.
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