Oscar Pistorius: ‘Dateline: Secrets Uncovered’ delves into the murder of Reeva Steenkamp that shocked a nation
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA: Oscar Legend Carl Pistorius, a former South African professional sprinter and convicted murderer, has been released on parole and is back at his home. The Department of Corrections gave no more details of Pistorius' release. He was approved for parole back in November 2023.
Oscar has faced significant physical challenges since infancy. At just 11 months old, he underwent the amputation of both feet due to a congenital defect, leaving him without the external parts of both feet and both fibulae. Despite these obstacles, Pistorius competed in both non-disabled and specialized sprint events for below-knee amputees.
Pistorius achieved historic milestones as the 10th athlete to participate in both the Paralympic and the Olympic Games. His inclusion in the 2012 Summer Olympics marked another groundbreaking moment, as Pistorius became the first double-leg amputee to compete in the Olympic Games. However, his athletic achievements were ultimately overshadowed by his conviction for the murder of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, in 2013.
When was Oscar Pistorius first arrested?
During his 2014 murder trial, Oscar Pistorius did not dispute that he fired four shots through a locked toilet door in his home, striking Reeva Steenkamp in the head, arm, and hip with his licensed 9 mm pistol. However, the motive behind Pistorius's decision to open fire became a focal point of the trial, which lasted seven months and garnered global attention through live broadcasts.
Prosecutors vigorously challenged Pistorius's version of events, questioning why he didn't first determine Steenkamp's whereabouts if he genuinely believed there was an intruder. They pointed out that he would have had to pass by Steenkamp's side of the bed on his way to the bathroom. Pistorius maintained that he had awakened, gone out onto the balcony to fetch a fan, and upon hearing noise from the bathroom, became fearful and panicked. He claimed he hurried to retrieve his gun, presuming Steenkamp was still asleep in bed.
After realizing Steenkamp wasn't in bed following the shooting, Pistorius testified that he suspected she might be in the toilet. He described breaking down the locked door with a cricket bat in a desperate attempt to reach her and render aid.
What was Oscar Pistorius's initial sentence and why did it change?
Initially, Oscar Pistorius was convicted of culpable homicide, a charge similar to manslaughter in the UK, instead of murder. He received a five-year sentence in 2014, later transitioning to house arrest upon his release from prison. In 2015, this conviction was overturned, signifying a significant shift in the legal proceedings. South Africa's Supreme Court of Appeal found Pistorius guilty of murder, resulting in a new sentence of six years. However, an appeal in 2017 contended that this term was excessively lenient, leading to a revision to 13 years and five months.
Following the state's assertion that the original six-year sentence was exceptionally lenient, the Supreme Court of Appeal upheld a minimum 15-year term, factoring in the duration Pistorius had already served. Tania Koen, a spokeswoman for the Steenkamp family, expressed their emotional response to the ruling, noting that it reaffirmed their trust in the justice system. Pistorius was incarcerated in July 2016, following the appellate verdict that found him guilty of murdering Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine's Day in 2013.
Reeva Steenkamp's father met Oscar Pistorius for a victim-offender dialogue
Oscar Pistorius met with Reeva Steenkamp's father as part of the parole application process, participating in a victim-offender dialogue. This process enables crime victims to engage with offenders before they become eligible for parole.
Confirming the meeting, Tania Koen, spokesperson for the Steenkamp family, stated that the face-to-face encounter occurred on June 22 as a private and confidential matter. She emphasized the need to respect the privacy of those involved. The Reeva Rebecca Steenkamp Foundation also acknowledged the meeting on its Facebook page, offering support to Barry and June Steenkamp for their participation. The Foundation expressed gratitude to the Department of Correctional Services and St Albans Prison staff for facilitating the dialogue with sensitivity and professionalism.
Reeva Steenkamp's mother said Oscar Pistorius was not 'remorseful' ahead of parole hearing
June Steenkamp, the mother of Reeva Steenkamp, voiced her doubts about Oscar Pistorius's remorse and rehabilitation as a parole hearing approached. Pistorius faces a decision on whether he will be released from prison following the fatal shooting of his girlfriend in 2013. June Steenkamp shared that she felt "very stressed" about the upcoming parole hearing, which will determine if Pistorius can serve the rest of his sentence under license at his uncle's home in Pretoria, South Africa.
In an interview, June had described the day as "very difficult" for her family and mentioned that being in the same room as the former Paralympic athlete would be challenging. When asked about Pistorius's remorse, Ms. Steenkamp responded negatively, stating that she did not believe he was remorseful or rehabilitated.
What are the parole conditions of Oscar Pistorius?
Under South African law, Oscar Pistorius became eligible for parole, or early release under specific conditions, after serving half of his sentence, which was determined to be 13 years and five months. Until his sentence concludes in 2029, Pistorius will be subject to stringent regulations. These rules include restrictions on his movements, requiring him to stay at home during specified hours, and prohibiting him from consuming alcohol. He is also forbidden from engaging with the media.
Additionally, Pistorius is required to undergo therapy to address issues related to gender-based violence and anger management. Reports indicate that he has relocated to the residence of his uncle, Arnold Pistorius, in an upscale neighborhood of Pretoria. While incarcerated, Pistorius was assigned tasks such as operating a tractor on the premises, working in the prison library, and performing cleaning duties in fellow inmates' cells, as detailed in legal documents referenced by South African journalist Karyn Maughan.
'Dateline: Secrets Uncovered' Season 12 airs new episodes every Wednesday at 8 pm ET on NBC and is available for streaming on Peacock the following day.