- Oscar Pistorius, convicted in the 2013 murder of Reeva Steenkamp, is released on parole after serving nearly 11 years in prison
- The Paralympian will face strict conditions until his sentence concludes in 2029, including confined home hours and alcohol prohibition
Paralympian Oscar Pistorius has been released on parole from a South African prison, marking nearly 11 years since the tragic murder of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp.
Pistorius, now 37, was confirmed to be “at home” yesterday morning, having served half of his 13-year sentence for the 2013 shooting of Ms. Steenkamp through a door. The double amputee initially claimed he had mistaken her for a burglar.
The decision to grant parole stirred mixed emotions, with Ms. Steenkamp’s mother expressing acceptance but emphasizing that her family, in essence, is enduring a life sentence.
Pistorius, who was convicted of murder in 2015 after an appeal court overturned a culpable homicide verdict, will be subject to stringent conditions until his sentence concludes in 2029. These conditions include confined home hours, alcohol prohibition, and a media communication ban.
Under South African law, offenders become eligible for parole, allowing early release under specific conditions, once they serve half of their total sentence. Pistorius, with a final sentence of 13 years and five months, now faces a carefully monitored life.
The former athlete is reported to have chosen residence at his uncle Arnold Pistorius’s home in an upscale Pretoria suburb. During his imprisonment, Pistorius engaged in various activities, including driving a tractor, library work, and cleaning inmates’ cells.
This parole release prompts reflection on the complex aftermath of a high-profile case, with Pistorius now navigating a future under controlled circumstances, shaped by legal mandates and public scrutiny.
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