Oscar Pistorius has one of the biggest ‘falls from grace’ stories among high-level athletes. The Paralympic gold medalist became the first ever double amputee to compete in the Olympics. However, things quickly went downhill for him after the murder of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp.
More than a decade after the murder, Pistorius has been denied parole, as confirmed by South African prison authorities. Tania Koen, the lawyer for the victim’s family stated, “I can confirm that parole has been denied, they will reconvene in a year to reconsider him and we don’t know the reasons yet (for the denial). The lawyer further added, “I’ve just received a call from the parole board It is a huge sense of relief for June (the victim’s mother).”
Also known as ‘Blade Runner’, for his carbon fiber prosthetic legs, he is yet to complete the minimum detention period. Having served half of his jail term, Pistorius will likely be allowed to reapply for an early release in August 2024. However, his bid for early release will likely be contested by the victim’s family yet again as they are understandably still devastated by the events of 2013.
Why did Oscar Pistorius shoot his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp?
On February 14, 2013, Oscar shot and killed his girlfriend inside a bathroom in his home in South Africa. Steenkamp, who was shot 3 times and passed away immediately. Notably, the Olympic athlete has maintained his innocence, claiming that he thought an intruder was inside his bathroom.
Pistorius pleaded that he only realized that he had shot his girlfriend after breaking down the door with a cricket bat. However, the prosecution believes that the murder was premeditated and that Oscar killed his girlfriend in a fit of anger. A year later, Pistorius was convicted of murder after his past behavior was also brought into question.
Oscar Pistorius’ sentence: How was the Olympic athlete punished?
As such, Pistorius was initially convicted of manslaughter in 2014 and sentenced to prison for five years. However, a higher court then overturned the decision, changing it to murder a year later. As a result, Oscar’s sentence was increased to six years in prison.
However, this ruling was deemed ‘too lenient’ by prosecutors who appealed for a harsher punishment. Thus, the sentence was then increased to 13 years and five months by South Africa’s Supreme Court of Appeal in 2017. As per June Steenkamp, Pistorius seems “not remorseful or rehabilitated” and the family will continue to oppose his parole hearing.
Currently, Pistorius will remain behind bars, having served half of his 13-year sentence. During that time, Pistorius also attended a meeting with Steenkamp’s father for South Africa’s restorative justice program last year. With the family still aggrieved by the murder of their daughter, will Oscar ever walk free? Only time will tell.