Oscar Pistorius, jailed for murdering girlfriend, released on parole
South African Paralympics champion Oscar Pistorius, jailed for murdering his girlfriend and model Reeva Steenkamp, was officially released from prison on parole on Friday. Widely renowned as "Blade Runner" for his carbon-fiber prosthetic legs, the 37-year-old has completed almost nine years of his 13-year and five-month murder sentence. In November last year, a parole board granted Pistorius bail after he completed more than half of his sentence.
Why does this story matter?
Over the years, Pistorius has maintained that he shot his 29-year-old model girlfriend dead by mistake on Valentine's Day in 2013. The 37-year-old testified that he believed Steenkamp was a dangerous intruder hiding in his washroom and shot through the door in self-defense with his licensed 9mm pistol. The former Olympic runner also filed several appeals against his conviction on that basis.
Know about Pistorius' parole conditions
Some of Pistorius' parole conditions include restrictions on when he can leave his home, a ban on consuming liquor, and must attend anger management and violence against women programs. He will also have to perform community service and must regularly meet with parole officials at his home and correctional services offices. He is also banned from speaking to the media until the end of his sentence, and could be sent back to prison for breaching any of his parole conditions.
Pistorius will be monitored by department official constantly
Meanwhile, Department of Corrections officials confirmed that South Africa doesn't use bracelets or tags on paroled offenders, so Pistorius won't be wearing any monitoring device. However, the 37-year-old will be monitored by a department official constantly, and he must inform them about any significant changes in his life, such as if he wants to move to another house or get a job. Notably, local media expect him to live at his uncle's home in a wealthy suburb of Pretoria.
Steenkamp's mother reacts to release
In a statement shared by the victim's family lawyer earlier, Steenkamp's mother June said: "There can never be justice if your loved one is never coming back, and no amount of time served will bring Reeva back." "We, who remain behind, are the ones serving a life sentence," she stated on Friday while adding that her only desire was to be allowed to live in peace.
Pistorius was a star of the London Olympics
Pistorius was regarded as an exemplary figure prior to the killing, having had both his legs amputated below the knee as a baby due to a congenital condition. In 2012, he made history by becoming the first amputee to compete against able-bodied sprinters at the London Summer Olympics. Steenkamp, on the other hand, was a law graduate and successful model. She intended to open a law firm to assist abused women after graduating.
