The athlete was convicted of involuntary manslaughter for the murder of his girlfriend.
Oscar Pistorius is eligible for parole after serving half his sentence (6 years) for killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.
The Paralympic gold medalist He will now meet with Steenkamp’s parents in South Africa’s ‘restorative justice’ probation process before his release is considered.
The athlete was convicted of manslaughter for the murder of Steenkamp on Valentine’s Day 2013 after he fired four shots through the bathroom door of his bedroom.
He claimed that he had confused Steenkamp, a 29-year-old model and law graduate who was famous in her own right in South Africa, with an intruder, but was found guilty of murder and sentenced to five years in prison.
The sentence was increased in 2015 to 13 years and five months after he was convicted of murder, but Pistorius can now be paroled after serving six years in a low-security prison in Pretoria.
South Africa’s department of correctional services said in a statement that they were organizing a meeting between Steenkamp’s parents and Pistorius as part of the “restorative justice” process.
The statement said that violators “must acknowledge and take responsibility for their actions” and that both parties must have the opportunity to “reconcile or apologize.”
Prison services spokesman Singabakho Nxumalo said the department has yet to define possible parole for Pistorius.
‘They (the prisoners) have to appear before a parole board. A decision is then made as to whether they are ready to be sent back to the community or whether they remain in prison serving the remainder of their sentence. “
An attorney for Steenkamp’s parents, June and Barry, told national broadcaster SABC that “they would like to participate in the victim-offender dialogue.” June has always said that she has forgiven Oscar, however that does not mean that she should not pay for what she has done. June told local media in 2018 that she had forgiven Oscar for murdering her daughter, but believed that she should still be punished.
“Barry struggles with that a bit, but that’s something he will have to express at the appropriate time,” said attorney Tania Koen.
The couple told a television channel that they believe Reeva packed her bags and told Pistorius that she would leave him the night of her death and that he killed her.
Pistorius was the first double amputee to compete in the Olympics competing in the 2012 London Games becoming a role model for disabled people around the world.
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