“Blade Runner” Oscar Pistorius may be released from prison
South African sprinter Oscar Pistorius, aka Blade Runner, could be released from jail this week after mistakes were discovered regarding his parole bids.
Pistorius was sentenced in October 2014 when he was found guilty of murdering Reeve Steenkamp, his then-girlfriend on February 14, 2013. The 36 year old claimed he thought Steenkamp was an intruder and he shot her by mistake.
The professional sprinter was first convicted of manslaughter, then the verdict was later changed to murder. Pistorius was liable to a 13 years and five months sentence. The Blade Runner has since appealed for parole but these had not been entertained. A hearing on the case will take place on November 24.
Usually, South African law obliges major offenders to complete at least half of their sentence before parole can be negotiated. In 2017, the Supreme Court of Appeal judged that Pistorius must serve 15 years for murder. However, the Court had taken into consideration the fact that the Olympic runner had served one year and seven months for culpable homicide before the deliverance of the latest sentence.
But the Court failed to count another period the Blade Runner had served as the appeal for his murder sentence was in process. Pistorius had been entitled to appeal for parole in March instead of August next year as he was informed at his first hearing. The Olympian’s lawyers argued his case, winning him the latest hearing on November 24, reported Mirror UK.
At the London 2012 Olympics, Pistorius gained worldwide attention as the first amputee sprinter to compete at an Olympic event. His legs had to be amputated at 11 months old due to a congenital condition.
Pistorius claimed that he had shot his then-girlfriend Steenkamp by mistake, thinking she was a trespasser hiding in the bathroom. The Blade Runner turns 37 tomorrow, November 22. He has not been in the public eye for nearly ten years.
