Oscar Pistorius could be given release date TODAY in fresh parole hearing 10 years on from Reeva Steenkamp killing
CONVICTED killer Oscar Pistorious could be freed from jail after serving over half of his 13 year sentence.
The disgraced former Paralympian is making another shameless bid for freedom after he murdered his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in 2013.
The former sprinter, now 37, has served over half of his sentence in a South African prison after he was jailed for murder in 2016.
Pistorious shot dead model Reeva, 29, with four bullets fired through the locked door of the bathroom in the early hours of Valentine’s Day 2013.
After a round of appeals and challenges, Pistorius – dubbed the “Blade Runner” because of his carbon-fibre prosthetic legs – was sentenced to 13 years and five months for murder.
He has always claimed the shooting was a mistake, saying he thought she was an intruder.
He shot her in the head, hip and arm and later claimed in court that it was only when he broke the bathroom door down that he realised she was in there.
The parole hearing is being held today in Atteridgeville prison, just outside Pretoria where Pistorious lived when he killed Reeva.
If his bid for freedom is approved, a decision on his release date could come quickly.
Reeva’s mother June, is reportedly not opposing parole and will not attend the hearing today, the BBC reports.
Her father Barry died in September and June told the parole board today that she believes he died from a broken heart after the grief of losing his daughter.
Reeva’s parents strongly objected to the killer’s release ahead of his last bid for freedom in March, but they had no power to block it.
Today June told the court in a victim impact statement: “I do not believe Oscar’s version that he thought the person in the toilet was a burglar. In fact, I do not know anybody who does.
“My dearest child screamed for her life; loud enough for the neighbours to hear her.
“I am not attending Oscar’s parole hearing, as I simply cannot muster the energy to face him again at this stage. Barry’s demise had opened the wounds in many ways caused by Reeva’s death.”
Reeva’s brother Adam Steenkamp last night made a plea that Pistorious be kept behind bars to finish his sentence.
He told MailOnline: “I already thought the original sentence was lenient in itself.
“I support and understand the reasons for someone getting parole but this is about my sister and I would prefer he serves the time he was given.”
Judges in South Africa previously admitted they failed to fully backdate Pistorious’ jail term when he was first convicted.
It meant that 506 days he had already served were not included – and made him eligible for parole in March this year instead of late 2024.
Pistorious was denied parole during the closed-door hearing in late March and he was set to face another seven years behind bars.
Tania Koen, a lawyer representing Reeva‘s family, said at the time the result was a “huge sense of relief” for mum June, who did attend the hearing.
She said on behalf of Reeva’s parents: “While we welcome today’s decision, today is not a cause for celebration.
“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.”
As part of his rehabilitation, Pistorius met June and Barry in 2022.
Barry revealed the runner “wailed like a child” as he tried to explain his actions and refused to accept he was a murderer.
He was denied parole in March as he “did not complete the minimum Detention Period”, the Department of Correctional Services confirmed.
In South Africa, offenders are automatically eligible for parole consideration after serving half of their sentences.
Pistorious has now served over half of his sentence, 13 years and five months.
The Department of Corrections previously said a parole board on November 24 will decide whether Pistorius is “suitable or not for social integration”.
They will consider his conviction, his behaviour while behind bars and any risk he might pose to the public before they make the decision.
However, even if the ex-athlete is released, he will be kept under close police protection due to fears of revenge attacks, MailOnline reported.
He was initially sentenced to six years in jail for Reeva’s murder – but the term was doubled after the state appealed it was too lenient.
Speaking to The Sun on the tenth anniversary of the killing in February this year, Reeva’s brother, Adam, said the athlete should not be allowed out of jail early and must serve his full term.
He also fears their family will never know the truth of what happened to Reeva when she was gunned down in 2013.
“I absolutely stand by his view that Oscar is unrepentant and obviously still does not take responsibility for the murder of my sister and that he should continue to serve his time,” he said.
Adam paid tribute to his “wonderful” sister, and said his family will “never come to terms” with her death.
“I miss her every day. What happened that morning ten years ago has had devastating consequences on everyone,” he said.