Oscar Pistorius, a South African prisoner, has been granted release! Pistorius completed more than half of his 13-year sentence for the murder of his girlfriend. The Department of Correctional Services in South Africa verified the former Olympian’s release from Atteridgeville Prison in Pretoria on Friday.
Pistorius was well-known for competing with amputated lower legs. Now on five years of parole after nine years in prison, Pistorius is likely to live at his uncle’s expensive property. The property has guard dogs and armed protection. His parole terms were kept a secret, with the exception of the prohibition of speaking to the media.
On February 14, 2013, Pistorius fired four shots through a locked bathroom door in his Pretoria home, killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. Pistorius said he was acting in self-defense and that he thought Steenkamp had broken into his home. The prosecution dismissed this defense. They claimed Pistorius killed Steenkamp during a Valentine’s Day confrontation out of rage. This lead to charges of murder and possessing a handgun.
Olympian And Convicted Murderer Oscar Pistorius RELEASED From Prison After Just 9 Years
In 2014, Pistorius was first found guilty on a lesser charge of manslaughter and was given a five-year jail term. Prosecutors, however, were able to successfully appeal to a higher court. This resulted in the reversal of Pistorius’ initial conviction and an increase to murder with a six-year jail sentence. Prosecutors filed an appeal once more after being dissatisfied with the sentence, claiming it was too light. Pistorius was given a 13-year sentence by the South African Court of Appeal, which agreed.
Pistorius was eligible for parole in March 2023. However, he was subject to certain conditions being met and a South African legislation that permits inmates to serve half their sentences if they behave well. A major turning point in the continuing judicial drama involving the horrific events of that fateful Valentine’s Day is this parole.
What do you think? Can you believe that Oscar Pistorius is already out of prison and should he have been sentenced a longer time? Let us know in the comments below.
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