United Kingdom
Olympic Runner Oscar Pistorius Denied Parole for Murder of Girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp
Parole Denied
Former Olympic and Paralympic runner Oscar Pistorius has been denied parole and will remain in prison for at least another 16 months for his conviction in the 2013 killing of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. According to South Africa’s Department of Corrections, Pistorius will be able to reapply for parole in August 2024. The parole board cited a clarification on his sentence that was issued by South Africa’s Supreme Court of Appeal three days ago.
The Shooting
On February 14, 2013, Pistorius shot and killed Steenkamp, believing she was an intruder, in his bathroom. He shot four times through a closed toilet cubicle door with his licensed 9 mm pistol, where Steenkamp was, hitting her multiple times. Pistorius said he didn’t realize his girlfriend had gotten out of bed and gone to the bathroom.
Legal Wrangling
There has been legal wrangling over when Pistorius should be eligible for parole due to the series of appeals in his case. He was initially convicted of culpable homicide in 2014, but the case went through various appeals, including by the prosecution, before Pistorius was finally sentenced to 13 years and five months in prison for murder in 2017. Serious offenders in South Africa must serve at least half their sentence to be eligible for parole.
The Rejected Parole
Prison spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo said that Pistorius would have to appear again next year, and then the parole board will make a decision. June Steenkamp, Reeva Steenkamp’s mother, attended Pistorius’ hearing Friday to oppose his parole. Reeva Steenkamp’s parents have said that they still don’t believe Pistorius’ account of their daughter’s killing and that they think he killed her intentionally after a late-night argument.
The Family’s Reaction
The Steenkamps’ lawyer, Tania Koen, said the denied parole was a “huge sense of relief for June.” While she welcomed the decision, Koen said, “We miss Reeva terribly and will do so for the rest of our lives. We believe in justice and hope that it continues to prevail.” The Steenkamps believe Pistorius cannot be considered rehabilitated unless he comes clean about the killing.
About Oscar Pistorius
Pistorius is a six-time Paralympic gold medalist who competed in the 2012 London Olympics, reaching the semifinals of the 400 meters and carrying the South African flag in the closing ceremony. His lower legs were amputated when he was a baby due to a congenital condition, and he walks with prosthetics. Pistorius’ father, Henke Pistorius, hopes his son will be home soon.
Credit: https://www.espn.co.uk/olympics/story/_/id/36015896/oscar-pistorius-denied-parole-killing-girlfriend
