Oscar Pistorius released on parole 11 years after killing Reeva Steenkamp
PRETORIA and LONDON — Oscar Pistorius, the previous South African runner who competed in each the Olympics and Paralympics, has been released from jail on parole almost 11 years after he shot and killed his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp.
The South African Department of Correctional Services announced Friday that Pistorius, 37, was admitted into the system of Group Corrections and is now at residence.
Pistorius was convicted of culpable murder in 2014 after fatally capturing Steenkamp, a 29-year-old South African model, 4 instances at his residence on the morning of Feb. 14, 2013. He claimed he fired his gun after mistaking her for an intruder.
Oscar Pistorius released on parole 11 years after killing Reeva Steenkamp
“The Department of Correctional Services affirms decision taken by the Correctional Supervision and Parole Board on 24 November 2023 to position inmate Oscar Leonard Carl Pistorius on parole, successfully from 5 January 2024,” the South African Division of Correctional Providers stated in a press release Friday.
Steenkamp’s mom stated the pain of her murder remains to be “uncooked and actual.”
“Has there been justice for Reeva? Has Oscar served sufficient time? There can by no means be justice if the one you love isn’t coming again,” June Steenkamp informed ABC Information in a press release Friday. “We, who stay behind, are those serving a life sentence.”
Oscar Pistorius released on parole 11 years after killing Reeva Steenkamp
Nevertheless, Steenkamp’s mom stated the circumstances of Pistorius’ launch on parole have “affirmed” her household’s perception within the South African justice system.
“We have now all the time identified that parole is a part of the South African authorized system, and we’ve got all the time stated that the regulation should take its course,” she added. “The circumstances imposed by the parole board, which incorporates anger administration programs and packages on gender-based violence ship out a transparent message that gender primarily based violence is taken critically.”
Pistorius’ parole will final till Dec. 5, 2029. He’s anticipated to serve the rest of his 13 years and 5-month sentence at his uncle’s residence in Waterkloof, a suburb of Pretoria, beneath stringent parole circumstances.
Oscar Pistorius released on parole 11 years after killing Reeva Steenkamp
In accordance with South Africa’s “General Parole circumstances,” Pistorius should be residence at “explicit hours” of the day. He isn’t allowed to devour “alcohol and different prohibited substances,” the South African Division of Correctional Providers stated.
Pistorius should additionally attend obligatory packages recognized by the Correctional Supervision and Parole Board and is restricted from conducting any media interviews, in line with the South African Division of Correctional Providers.
The homicide trial of the six-time Paralympic gold medalist — popularly referred to as the “Blade Runner,” a reputation derived from the Carbon-fibre prosthetics he wore whereas racing — was publicized around the globe. Pistorius was initially sentenced to 6 years behind bars in 2016, however that later elevated to 13 years and 5 months after prosecutors argued the jail time period was too lenient.
Oscar Pistorius released on parole 11 years after killing Reeva Steenkamp
Oscar Pistorius released on parole 11 years after killing Reeva Steenkamp
The trials of Oscar Pistorius
- August 2012: Competes in London Olympics and Paralympics, where he won a gold medal
- February 2013: Shoots dead his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp
- March 2014: Trial begins
- September 2014: Judge finds Pistorius guilty of culpable homicide
- October 2014: Begins five-year sentence
- October 2015: Transferred to house arrest
- December 2015: Appeal court changes verdict to murder
- July 2016: Returns to prison after being sentenced to six years for murder
- November 2017: Appeal court increases sentence to 13 years and five months
- June 2022: Meets Ms Steenkamp’s father, Barry, as part of a restorative justice programme
- November 2023: Parole board agrees Pistorius should be released
- January 2024: Freed from prison under parole conditions