Oscar Pistorius parole hearing date set: Could walk free in weeks

Former South African Paralympian and convicted murderer Oscar Pistorius could be released on parole in a matter of weeks.

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“We have been advised by the parole board that the hearing will take place on Friday, 31 March 2023,” his lawyer Julian Knight told AFP.

A decision is usually known the same day of the parole hearing or a day later, and “if the decision is negative, the offender has the right to approach the courts for review,” said Knight.

Pistorius, now 36, was convicted of culpable homicide in 2014 for killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine’s Day in 2013.

His culpable homicide conviction was overturned to murder in 2015.

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A six-year sentence imposed by the Pretoria High Court in 2016 was set aside by the Supreme Court of Appeal and replaced with a sentence of 13 years and five months.

OSCAR PISTORIUS HAS SERVED MORE THAN HALF HIS SENTENCE

Offenders in South Africa are automatically eligible for parole consideration after serving half of their sentence. Pistorius has served more than half his sentence.

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According to JacarandaFM, Lawyer Tania Koen, who represents Reeva’s parents Barry and June Steenkamp, says the two intend to participate in Pistorius’ parole hearing.

“The process is that on the day the parole board will convene, then the families of the victims, which is June and Barry, may attend the hearing either in person or they may also give written representations.

“The parole board will consider those representations together with all the other reports that they have in front of them to make a decision on whether they should release the offender on certain conditions.”

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Koen would not say whether the Steenkamps would oppose Pistorius’ parole application.

“Any offender in South African law, who has served a certain portion of their sentence, is entitled to be considered for placement on parole. The Steenkamps have always said and accepted that Oscar Pistorius, as any offender, has the same rights in terms of our law.”

A year before killing Steenkamp, Pistorius became the first double amputee to race at the Olympics at the London 2012 Games.

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