Runner Oscar Pistorius will be released from a South African prison on Friday, more than a decade after fatally shooting his girlfriend in 2013.
A parole board ruled in November that Pistorius, 37, is fit to be reintroduced to society and scheduled his release for January 5. In a statement issued to RTE, the Department of Correctional Services said Pistorius is barred from media interviews “just like other parolees.”
A double amputee nicknamed the “Blade Runner,” Pistorius claimed he shot Reeva Steenkamp, 29, at his Pretoria home as he mistook her for an intruder. Pistorius shot through a bathroom door four times, killing her.
In 2014, Pistorius was convicted of culpable homicide and reckless endangerment and sentenced to five years. In October 2015, he was released for good behavior and placed on house arrest.
A month after his release, his culpable homicide conviction was overturned and he was convicted of murder. He returned to custody in July 2016 to serve a six-year sentence — but that sentence was increased to 15 years after the National Prosecuting Authority deemed the punishment “shockingly lenient.”
The Department of Correctional Services denied Pistorius’ parole in March 2023, only to approve it eight months later .
RTE reported that Pistorius’ parole ends in 2029. During that time, he is required to attend therapy for anger and gender-based violence issues.
For the latest true crime and justice news, subscribe to the ‘Crime Stories with Nancy Grace’ podcast. Listen to the latest episode:
[Featured image: AP Photo/Schalk van Zuydam, File)]
