Oscar Pistorius Now: Is the Former Paralympic Olympian Still in Prison?

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As a fan following the tragic story of Oscar Pistorius, it is difficult not to be moved by the complexities and nuances of this once-celebrated Paralympic athlete’s life. Having achieved great success on the international stage as a double amputee sprinter, known as “Blade Runner,” Pistorius made history in 2012 by participating in London’s Summer Olympics. However, his world came crashing down when he fatally shot and murdered his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, on Valentine’s Day 2013.

Oscar Pistorius, former Paralympic Olympian convicted of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp’s murder, is now a free man after his early 2024 release from prison. Pistorius, once known by the name “Blade Runner” for his historical career in athletics, murdered Steenkamp on Valentine’s Day 2013. The case then made international headlines for his high-profile trial and controversial conviction in 2016.

A disabled athlete named Oscar Pistorius has earned numerous gold medals across three Paralympic Games between 2004 and 2012. In an Olympic first, he joined South Africa’s team at the 2012 Summer Olympics as their Paralympic sprinter. Unfortunately, in 2013, he took the life of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, leading to the end of his athletic career.

Later on, Pistorius contended that he was not guilty, explaining that the shooting was an unfortunate accident. He reportedly thought Steenkamp was an intruder in his home. However, the prosecution presented evidence suggesting that Pistorius deliberately killed his girlfriend during a heated argument. Following a lengthy court battle, the Paralympian athlete was found guilty and sentenced to over 13 years in prison.

What is former Paralympic Olympian Oscar Pistorius doing now?

I served over 6 years in Atteridgeville Correctional Center near Pretoria, South Africa. On January 5, 2024, I walked out as a free man, having completed half of my more than 13-year sentence for the tragic event that occurred on Valentine’s Day, 2013. I can’t believe it’s been nearly 11 years since I took Reeva Steenkamp’s life in error. Now, I live with my uncle Arnold Pistorius in the Waterkloof suburb of Pretoria.

NBC News announced that the South African Department of Correctional Services confirmed that Oscar Pistorius began serving parole on January 5, 2024. The department explained that his release comes with significant supervision and restrictions, meaning he must obtain approval for many aspects of his daily life.

Additionally, after being granted parole, Pistorius is subjected to certain limitations on his mobility. The Department of Correctional Services disclosed that he is prohibited from leaving the Waterkloof district without prior approval. Furthermore, he is barred from engaging with the media. Nevertheless, his legal representative, Julian Knight, stated that these conditions make it challenging for him to keep up with work obligations and attend church on Sundays.

An additional requirement for Oscar Pistorius’ parole is undergoing compulsory therapy. He is said to participate in therapy sessions and courses focusing on anger management and preventing violence towards women. Aside from this, he needs to complete two hours of community service regularly, maintain frequent meetings with parole officers, and be prepared for unannounced inspections until 2029 when his prison term ends.

Oscar Pistorius became well-known unfortunately for the fatal shooting of Reeva Steenkamp, a model and law student, in his home on Valentine’s Day, 2013. He maintained afterward that he thought an intruder had entered their house and acted in self-defense, firing his 9mm gun into a locked bathroom. It was only later that he discovered the person he had shot was actually his girlfriend.

In 2014, Pistorius’ high-profile trial started with his assertion that Steenkamp’s death was unintentional. He insisted he acted in self-defense. However, the prosecution labeled it a premeditated crime, accusing the Paralympian of shooting the victim following an argument. The court listened to testimonies from 37 witnesses throughout the trial, which ended in September that year.

The court, presided over by Judge Thokozile Masipa, found Oscar Pistorius guilty of a crime equivalent to manslaughter, or culpable homicide. This resulted in a five-year prison sentence. However, the prosecution felt that this verdict and subsequent sentence were too lenient and appealed the decision. The media expressed similar opinions, considering it “shockingly light” and “inappropriate.” In October 2015, Pistorius became eligible for parole and was released early from prison.

In December of that year, the Supreme Court of Appeal in South Africa reversed the earlier ruling regarding the murder case. The panel of five judges argued that the lower court had overlooked crucial evidence and incorrectly applied the concept of “dolus eventualis.” Moreover, they felt the defendant failed to provide a satisfactory explanation for the crime. Eventually, the High Court passed a sentence of 13 years and five months against him.

There are numerous documentaries, true-crime series, and movies that have delved into the Oscar Pistorius case in the past. Some well-known titles include “Oscar Pistorius: The Trials of an Athletic Star,” “Blade Runner Killer: The Case of Oscar Pistorius,” and others.

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2024-07-22 16:40