‘Blade Runner’ Oscar Pistorius may be released to house arrest after a year in jail for Reeva Steenkamp’s death
Athlete served more than a sixth of his sentence and was eligible for parole in August, but an appeal to be heard next month may land him back behind bars.
South African Paralympian Oscar Pistorius is expected to walk out of prison next week after serving a year for killing his girlfriend — but he could soon be back behind bars.
The star athlete was sentenced in October 2014 to five years in prison for culpable homicide — a charge equivalent to manslaughter — and is now eligible for release into house arrest after serving more than a sixth of his sentence.
Pistorius was initially due to be freed in August.
“For our beautiful daughter — for anyone’s life — it’s definitely not long enough”
But intervention by the minister of justice led to a series of delays before the parole board announced Thursday that he would be released on October 20.
Prosecutors have filed an appeal against the culpable homicide verdict, arguing that he should have been convicted of murder over the killing of Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine’s Day 2013.
If they win their case, which is due to begin in the Supreme Court on November 3, the 28-year-old could face at least 15 years in jail.
The athlete — known as “Blade Runner” for the prosthetic legs he wears on the track — won international fame after racing against able-bodied competitors in the 2012 London Olympics.