Oscar Pistorius: The athlete may soon be released from prison

The amputee runner Oscar Pistorius finds himself in an unexpected situation. The 36-year-old man was serving his prison sentence when we learned, through the channel The Team, that he could be released from prison before serving his entire sentence. The South African justice system has granted a hearing to the Olympic runner which will take place on March 31.

Oscar Pistorius jailed for murder

Normally, there would still be 7 years in prison to serve for the athlete. And it was for the murder of his partner at the time that he found himself behind bars.

The facts date from February 14, 2013. Oscar Pistorius shot a shotgun through his bathroom door and killed his then-girlfriend, the model Reeva Steenkamp. The athlete said it was unintentional on his part and that he mistook her for thieves who broke into his home. He said it was to protect himself and her that he decided to shoot, believing he was shooting the intruders.

Neighbors reported having heard an argument before the incident and therefore that Oscar would have been violent with his partner. But these testimonies have never been confirmed.

The amputee runner then appeared in court. South Africa's High Court has sentenced Oscar Pistorius to 5 years in prison for involuntary manslaughter and possession of firearms. After reviewing his case, the court decided that the athlete was guilty of premeditated murder and that he should therefore suffer a more substantial sentence. He was then sentenced to 6 years in prison.

But following another review, the court found the sentence too lenient and he was therefore sentenced to 13 years behind bars in 2017.

And it is only recently that rumors of the release of Oscar Pistorius have been making noise.

Oscar Pistorius free?

The athlete kept a low profile during his incarceration. For 7 years, no one heard about what he was doing in prison. But last summer, the amputee athlete petitioned the courts to convene a hearing to discuss his possible release.

Julian Knight, Oscar Pistorius' lawyer, explained to AFP the aim of this approach.

“This is an application to compel the probation committee to agree to a hearing for his parole application. This does not mean that he must be on parole, but that his request must be considered. »

And before considering this hearing, the South African justice system wants, before any release, the culprit to recognize his responsibilities before the victims. It was then that Oscar met Barry Steenkamp, ​​the father of his former girlfriend.

For the athlete to be released, the courts will have to judge his behavior to be harmless to society. They need to make sure he doesn't cause any more harm.

Waiting for March 31 to see how this affair will develop.