Oscar Pistorius, once Paralympian, granted parole 11 years after shooting his girlfriend
Oscar Pistorius (Getty Images)
Oscar Pistorius, a former Paralympian, known as Blade Runner for his athletic achievements, has recently been granted parole after spending nearly 11 years in a South African prison for the murder of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, according to BBC.
This release comes after serving half of his original sentence, which amounted to more than 13 years. The confirmation of his release came from officials, stating that Pistorius is now "at home."
Details of the murder
The tragic incident occurred in 2013 when Pistorius shot Reeva Steenkamp multiple times through a door. Pistorius, a double amputee, later asserted that he thought there was a burglar, leading to the fatal shooting. Despite his initial conviction of culpable homicide, an appeal court overturned it in 2015, resulting in a murder conviction.
According to South African law, offenders become eligible for parole after serving half of their total sentence. Pistorius, now 37, received a final sentence in 2017, totaling 13 years and five months. He will be living under strict conditions until his sentence concludes in 2029. This means adherence to home confinement during certain hours, a prohibition on alcohol consumption, and a ban on speaking to the media.
The case's history includes Pistorius initially going to prison in 2014, a period of house arrest between 2015 and 2016, and subsequent adjustments to his conviction and sentence. Pistorius faced global attention for his role in the murder of Reeva Steenkamp just six months after competing in the 2012 London Olympics.
Reports suggest that Pistorius has relocated to his uncle Arnold Pistorius' residence in a prestigious area of Pretoria, the capital city.
What Steenkamp's mother says
Reeva Steenkamp's mother, June Steenkamp, has expressed acceptance of the parole decision but emphasized the enduring pain her family faces, stating that they are the ones "serving a life sentence."
Reeva Steenkamp (Getty Images)
"Has there been justice for Reeva? Has Oscar served enough time? There can never be justice if your loved one is never coming back, and no amount of time served will bring Reeva back," she commented.
We also recently reported that Australia's woman appeared to be innocent after 20 years in prison for killing her 4 newborns.
