Paralympic champion Oscar Pistorius denied parole decade after killing girlfriend
- Once seen as a hero, the South African disabled athlete shot dead Reeva Steenkamp, a model and law student, in his bathroom on Valentine’s Day in 2013
- The gun enthusiast said he believed she was an intruder when he shot her several times through the door with ammunition designed to inflict maximum damage
Former South Africa Paralympic star Oscar Pistorius, jailed in 2016 for killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, has been denied parole, South Africa’s prison authorities and a lawyer for the victim’s family said on Friday.
Once the darling of the Paralympic movement for pushing for greater recognition and acceptance of disabled athletes, South African Pistorius shot dead Steenkamp, a model and law student, in his bathroom on Valentine’s Day in 2013.
The athlete, known as “Blade Runner” for his carbon-fibre prosthetic legs, went from public hero to convicted murderer in a trial that drew worldwide interest.
Pistorius became eligible for parole after serving half of his sentence. Reeva’s mother June Steenkamp was at Atteridgeville prison near the capital Pretoria on Friday morning and opposed his bid, the family lawyer Tania Koen said.
“I can confirm that parole has been denied, they will reconvene in a year to reconsider him again and we don’t know the reasons yet [for the denial]. I’ve just received a call from the parole board ...It is a huge sense of relief for June,” Koen said.
The Department of Correctional Services said in a statement the “reason provided is that the inmate did not complete the minimum Detention Period”.
