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IMAGE: Oscar Pistorius, referred to as “Blade Runner” for his carbon-fibre prosthetic legs, went from public hero to convicted assassin in a trial that drew worldwide curiosity. {Photograph}: Siphiwe Sibeko/Reuters
Oscar Pistorius, the previous Paralympic champion jailed in 2016 for murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, will ask a parole board on Friday to launch him early from jail, attorneys and jail officers stated.
As soon as the darling of the Paralympic motion for pushing for larger recognition and acceptance of disabled athletes, South African Pistorius shot lifeless Steenkamp, a mannequin and regulation scholar, in his rest room on Valentine’s Day in 2013.
The athlete, referred to as “Blade Runner” for his carbon-fibre prosthetic legs, went from public hero to convicted assassin in a trial that drew worldwide curiosity.
Pistorius has develop into eligible for parole after serving half of his sentence. Steenkamp’s household oppose his bid and can give verbal and written statements on the listening to on the influence the homicide had on them, their lawyer Tania Koen instructed Reuters.
Arriving at Atteridgeville jail close to the capital Pretoria on Friday morning, Reeva’s mom June Steenkamp stated she was feeling nervous.
“It’ll be very exhausting to be in the identical room as him,” she instructed reporters from her automotive. “I do not consider his story.”
A jail spokesperson confirmed the closed-door parole board assembly was beneath manner.
Gun fanatic Pistorius instructed his trial he had believed Steenkamp was an intruder when he shot her a number of instances by way of the toilet door with ammunition designed to inflict most harm to the human physique.
He was jailed in 2016, initially for a six-year time period, however had that sentence elevated to 13 years after an enchantment by prosecutors who argued the preliminary sentence was too lenient.
Pistorius, who had each legs amputated as a child, reached the height of his fame in 2012 when he grew to become the primary double amputee to compete in opposition to able-bodied athletes on the Olympics, reaching the 400m semi-finals in London.
At a trial that captured worldwide consideration 9 years in the past, the athlete shuffled by way of the court docket with out his prosthetics to point out how weak he was confronted with the specter of an intruder.
He broke down crying as he instructed the court docket that he had been making an attempt to guard Steenkamp when he fired the pictures. The prosecutor on the time accused him of utilizing emotional breakdowns to keep away from questioning.
He met Steenkamp’s father Barry final yr when taking part in a course of referred to as victim-offender dialogue – a part of South Africa’s restorative justice programme that brings events affected by a criminal offense collectively in a bid to realize closure.
The unbiased parole board should decide, amongst different points, whether or not Pistorius is prone to committing comparable crimes sooner or later, jail spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo stated.
It can additionally contemplate his disciplinary report, coaching programmes in jail and his bodily and psychological state, jail officers stated.
Pistorius’ lawyer, Julian Knight, instructed Reuters he was not in a “place to remark till such time because the Parole Board has decided”.
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