After just over five years behind bars, the former champion convicted of murder will soon be set on his fate. A commission meets Friday in Pretoria to decide whether or not to release early the former athlete, amputee of both legs, 36, and convicted of the murder in February 2013 of Reeva Steenkamp, his partner.
The decision of the committee, notably composed of representatives of the prison services, the police and ordinary civilians, should be made in the coming days, after deliberation. South African law provides that a convicted person may, once half of his sentence has elapsed, benefit from a sentence adjustment.
Oscar Pistorius, sentenced on appeal to 13 years and 5 months in prison in November 2017, has been eligible since July 2021. His behavior in detention, his physical and mental state, as well as the risk of recidivism will be scrutinized. “The commission must determine whether the objective of imprisonment has been achieved,” prison service spokesman Singabakho Nxumalo told AFP.
The long procedure, which began more than a year ago, included a meeting last year with the victim’s parents. They then said they were shocked by the idea of the release of the murderer of their daughter. On the night of February 13 to 14, 2013, the day before Valentine’s Day, the South African athlete was in his ultra-secure residence in Pretoria with his partner. Convinced that a burglar has managed to break in, he shoots through the bathroom door. Reeva Steenkamp, a 29-year-old model, is killed by four rifle bullets.
Victim’s mother in court
Six-time Paralympic champion, Pistorius was at the time rich, famous and at the height of glory. A year earlier, he entered the legend by lining up with the able-bodied in the 400m at the London Olympics, a first for a double amputee.
“Blade Runner”, as he is nicknamed (the runner with carbon blade prostheses), was arrested in the early morning of February 14. He pleads misunderstanding. Charged with manslaughter, he was sentenced in 2014 to five years in prison at first instance. The prosecution demands a requalification for murder and appeals. Appearing before the judges on his stumps, he then shows himself “broken”, according to the defense.
The world is passionate about the case and the legal saga keeps the media spellbound: the former champion was sentenced to six years in prison for murder in 2016. But, except in exceptional circumstances, the minimum sentence for murder in South Africa is 15 years old. The prosecution believes that justice has again been too lenient and is appealing again.
In 2017, the Supreme Court of Appeal sentenced Pistorius to 13 years and 5 months in prison. Reeva Steenkamp’s parents tell the press that their daughter “can finally rest in peace”. Dropped by his sponsors, ruined, the stadium idol sells his house to pay his lawyers. He is incarcerated in a prison near Pretoria.
The victim’s mother, June Steenkamp, will be present at the hearing on Friday, Tania Koen, the parents’ lawyer, told AFP. The father, Barry Steenkamp, will not be able to go there for health reasons but the couple will submit their arguments in writing. “Then the law will take its course,” explained the lawyer, without giving more details on the state of mind of the Steenkamps.
In the event of refusal of conditional release, the detainee may request a review of his request.
