Entertainment
Oscar Pistorius Granted Parole: Why is He Out So Early?
Background
Paralympian Oscar Pistorius, who was serving a 13-year sentence for the fatal shooting of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, has been granted parole in South Africa. Pistorius, also known as the "Blade Runner," shot Steenkamp multiple times in 2013, claiming he mistook her for an intruder. There was evidence of an argument between the couple prior to the incident.
A Controversial Case
In 2014, Pistorius was convicted of culpable homicide, similar to manslaughter, and after numerous appeals, he received a final 13-year sentence in 2016. His previous parole request in March 2023 was denied due to a technicality caused by an error on the part of the parole board.
Paralympic Success and Amputation
Pistorius, a Paralympian, competed with carbon-fiber prosthetic legs at the 2012 London Paralympic Games, where he won gold in the men's 400-meter race. He is also the first double-amputee to compete at the Olympics. Pistorius was born with a condition called fibular hemimelia, which resulted in the amputation of both his legs below the knee before he turned one year old.
Parole Approval and Concerns
Pistorius' parole request was eventually approved as he had served half of his prison sentence, the minimum requirement under South African law. A correctional services department statement highlighted Pistorius' positive support system and Reeva Steenkamp's mother, June Steenkamp, stating that she did not oppose his release. However, June expressed concerns about Pistorius' anger issues and abusive behavior towards women, which she believed had not been adequately addressed.
Parole Stipulations
Pistorius is set to be released in January 2024, but his parole comes with several conditions. He will be required to attend anger management counseling and must inform authorities if he plans to travel outside the Pretoria area.
According to a spokesperson from the South African Department of Corrections, parole does not mark the end of Pistorius' sentence but rather means he will complete it outside of a correctional facility. He will be assigned a monitoring official who will work with him until his sentence expires.
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