Jailed Paralympics star Oscar Pistorius meets murdered girlfriend’s father
- The former track athlete had a dialogue with the father of Reeva Steenkamp, the woman he shot to death in 2013
- The arrangement gives victims and relatives in South Africa a chance to meet the offenders before the latter can be eligible for parole
South African former track star Oscar Pistorius has met the father of Reeva Steenkamp, the woman he shot to death in 2013, as part of his parole process, the Steenkamp’s family lawyer said on Friday.
Lawyer Tania Koen told Associated Press in a text message that Pistorius and Barry Steenkamp met face-to-face on June 22 as part of what’s known in South Africa as a victim-offender dialogue.
It gives victims of crimes or their relatives a chance to meet the offenders, if they choose to, before the offender can be eligible for parole.
Koen confirmed the meeting but declined to give any more details. She wrote in her message: “The dialogue is a private and confidential matter, hence we ask that our clients’ privacy be respected.”
Pistorius, once a double-amputee track star who made history by running at the Olympics, became eligible for parole last year, eight years after killing his girlfriend in his home in the South African capital, Pretoria.
Pistorius, who is now 35, was ultimately convicted of murder in 2015 after a long and dramatic trial and numerous appeals. He was sentenced to 13 years and five months in prison.
