Sentenced in 2013 for the murder of his girlfriend, the former Paralympic champion who served half his prison sentence will soon be set on a possible parole.
Just before Valentine’s Day ten years ago, everything changed when he killed his girlfriend. Half of his prison sentence served, the former Paralympic champion Oscar Pistorius will soon be set on a possible parole.
A commission is meeting in Pretoria on Friday to decide whether or not to release early the former king of the stadiums, now 36, who had been amputated with both legs and was convicted of the February 2013 murder of Reeva Steenkamp, the ministry said. South African Justice and Corrections Service.
The decision of the committee, notably composed of representatives of the prison services, the police and ordinary civilians, should be made in the coming days, after deliberation. South African law provides that a convicted person may, once half of his sentence has elapsed, benefit from a sentence adjustment.
Oscar Pistorius, sentenced on appeal to 13 years and 5 months in prison in November 2017, has been eligible since July 2021. His behavior in detention, his physical and mental state as well as the risk of recidivism will be scrutinized.
“The commission must determine whether the objective of imprisonment has been achieved,” prison service spokesman Singabakho Nxumalo told AFP.
The long procedure, which began more than a year ago, included a meeting last year with the victim’s parents. They then said they were shocked by the idea of the release of the murderer of their daughter.
Legal saga
On the night of February 13 to 14, 2013, the South African athlete was in his ultra-secure residence in Pretoria with his partner. Convinced that a burglar has managed to break in, he shoots through the bathroom door. Reeva Steenkamp, a 29-year-old model, is killed by four rifle bullets.
Six-time Paralympic champion Oscar Pistorius was rich, famous and at the height of fame at the time. A year earlier, he entered the legend by lining up with the able-bodied in the 400 meters of the London Olympics, a first for a double amputee.
“Blade Runner”, as he was nicknamed (the runner with carbon blade prostheses), was arrested in the early morning of February 14. He pleads misunderstanding.
Charged with manslaughter, he was sentenced in 2014 to five years in prison at first instance. The former stadium star cries during his trial broadcast live on television.
The prosecution demands a requalification for murder and appeals. Appearing before the judges on his stumps, he then shows himself “broken”, according to the defense.
The world is passionate about the case and the legal saga keeps the media in suspense: the former champion is sentenced to six years in prison for murder in 2016.
Barring exceptional circumstances, the minimum sentence for murder in South Africa is 15 years. The prosecution believes that justice has again been too lenient and is appealing again.
In 2017, the Supreme Court of Appeal sentenced Oscar Pistorius to 13 years and 5 months in prison.
Reeva Steenkamp’s parents tell the press that their daughter “can finally rest in peace”.
Dropped by his sponsors, ruined, the idol of the stadiums sells his house to pay his lawyers. He is incarcerated in a prison near Pretoria.
The victim’s mother, June Steenkamp, will be present at the hearing on Friday, Tania Koen, the parents’ lawyer, told AFP.
The father, Barry Steenkamp, will not be able to go there for health reasons but the couple will submit their arguments in writing. “Then the law will take its course”, explained the lawyer, without giving more details on the state of mind of Steenkamp.
In the event of refusal of conditional release, the detainee may request a review of his request.