https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11923457/Oscar-Pistorius-learn-TODAY-freed-prison-early.htmlOscar Pistorius will stay behind bars until at least August 2024 after parole board admit he 'had NOT served the minimum detention period' for murdering Reeva Steenkamp
Oscar Pistorius fatally shot Reeva Steenkamp at home on Valentine's Day 2013
He was denied parole at a hearing in which his victim's parents opposed him
By Elena Salvoni
Published: 08:29, 31 March 2023 | Updated: 15:49, 31 March 2023
Oscar Pistorius has been denied an early release from prison and will now remain behind bars until at least August 2024 for the murder of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, a decade ago.
He was denied parole having only served six years - less than the 'minimum detention period' required to qualify for early release - and will remain at Atteridgeville prison on the outskirts of Pretoria.
Ms Steenkamp's parents opposed the bid made by their daughter's killer, with her mother June telling the parole hearing today that she did not believe Pistorius had been rehabilitated.
Pistorius shot Ms Steenkamp dead in the early hours of Valentine's Day 2013, firing four times through the bathroom door of his Pretoria house, in a killing that shocked the world.
He was found guilty of murder and given a 13-year jail sentence in 2017 after a lengthy trial in which he maintained that he had mistaken Ms Steenkamp for an intruder. Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, Reeva Steenkamp's parents tonight said they welcomed the decision, but still sought justice while Pistorius hankers after freedom. Ms Steenkamp's 79-year-old mother, June, who attended the hearing, said: 'While we welcome today's decision, today is not a cause for celebration. Barry and I miss Reeva terribly and will do so for the rest of our lives. We believe in justice and hope that it continues to prevail.'
The Steenkamp family's lawyer, Tania Koen, revealed the news this afternoon, saying the decision has given Reeva's mother, June, 'a huge sense of relief'. 'I can confirm that parole has been denied, they will reconvene in a year to reconsider him again and we don't know the reasons yet (for the denial).'
The Department of Correctional Services said in a statement that the 'reason provided is that the inmate did not complete the minimum Detention Period'.
The result was a surprise but there has been legal wrangling over when Pistorius should be eligible for parole because of the series of appeals in his case. He was initially convicted of culpable homicide, a charge comparable to manslaughter, in 2014. The case then went through a number of appeals before Pistorius was finally sentenced to 13 years and five months in prison for murder in 2017. Serious offenders must serve at least half their sentence to be eligible for parole in South Africa. Pistorius' lawyers had gone to court to argue that he was now eligible because he had served the required portion of time in jail from late 2014 following his culpable homicide conviction. The parole board's decision was reached based upon a clarification memo received from the Supreme Court just days ago, on March 28, spokesman Singabakho Nxumalo said. Still desperate for freedom, Pistorius's lawyer, Julian Knight, told News24 that he would 'certainly be taking this decision on review'.
Before attending the hearing earlier today, June said that her daughter's killer was 'not remorseful or rehabilitated'.
She arrived shortly before 10.00am (9.00 GMT) to make oral and written statements on behalf of herself and her husband, Barry, expressing their view that Pistorius should not be released.
Speaking to reporters outside, June, who is from Blackburn, Lancashire, said 'I don't believe his story'.
Pistorius has always claimed he killed Steenkamp in the early hours of Valentine's Day 2013 after mistaking her for a dangerous intruder in his home. The Steenkamps said they think he killed her intentionally after a late-night argument and want him to stay in prison. Ms Steenkamp's father Barry was not present due to ill health, but had a statement read out on his behalf which was described as 'extremely emotional, extremely to the core'.
Carmen Dodd, who read Barry's victim-impact statement, said: 'Barry said he can't sleep at night, he can't find closure until the real truth is given to him. He says, before he dies, he has one wish and that is Oscar would just tell us exactly what happened on that night.'
Ms Steenkamp's parents welcomed the news today, with their Ms Koen revealing that June is 'very relieved that it's over'.
The lawyer paid tribute to Reeva's mother June, 79, who she said the ordeal of the hearing had been 'very stressful' for. She added that it had taken a 'huge amount of guts and courage' for her to attend. 'It was very unpleasant for her, the circumstances, but she knew she had to do it for Reeva and she did it I am very proud of her.'
June said before the hearing that she was 'very nervous' and that it was 'very hard to be in the same room' as her daughter's killer. Ms Koen said it will be particularly tough for the heartbroken mother, as she has not confronted her daughter's killer since 2016. 'It's a very traumatic experience, as you can imagine. It's painful June has to face Oscar Pistorius again this morning. He is the killer of their daughter, for them, it's a life sentence. For them, it's 10 missed birthdays, 10 Mother's Days, 10 Father's Days, 10 Christmases. They don't feel that he should be released, they feel he has shown no remorse and he's not rehabilitated, because if he had been he would have come clean and told the true story of what happened that night. They believe he intended to kill Reeva unless he comes clean, they don't feel that he has rehabilitated. They have no expectations,' Koen previously said of the Steenkamps ahead of the hearing. 'The law must take its course'.
Pistorius had pleaded not guilty and denied that he killed Ms Steenkamp in a rage, saying he mistook her for a burglar a version of events her family sees as untrue. The gun enthusiast shot his girlfriend several times through the bathroom door with ammunition designed to inflict maximum damage to the human body. Pistorius was jailed in 2016 six years initially before his sentence was extended to 13 years in 2017. Offenders in South Africa are automatically eligible for parole consideration half way through their sentence. Sources say Pistorius has been affected by his time in custody, and is now a shadow of his former self He could now leave Atteridgeville Correctional Centre in Pretoria as early as today if his parole is granted. Comprising of at least three people, including prison services and community members, the board is to determine whether the purpose of imprisonment has been served, according to the Department of Correctional Services. A spokesman at Atteridgeville today said the former athlete had been 'working quite hard' during his time at the prison. He added that should the parole board think that any further 'interventions' need to be made with the prisoner, 'they will provide a timeframe for that'.
The independent parole board had to determine, among other issues, whether Pistorius posed a risk of committing similar crimes in the future, prison spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo said previously. It also considered his disciplinary record, training programmes in prison and his physical and mental state, prison officials said. Of all the factors, legal experts considered the behavior of Pistorius while in prison as likely to have been the most important consideration. His lawyer, Mr Knight, previously said Pistorius has been a 'model prisoner.' Mr Knight said he would not comment until after a decision on the parole is made today. Pistorius met Barry Steenkamp in June last year, in a process authorities said aims to ensure inmates 'acknowledge the harm they have caused to their victims and the society at large'.
But Ms Steenkamp's father came away from the meeting dissatisfied and 'emotional', his lawyer said. 'It was traumatic for both Mr Pistorius and Barry, it was painful, really painful,' said Ms Koen today.
When asked whether Barry got the sense that Oscar had any remorse, Ms Koen said: 'No, that's why we're here today'.
Barry did not travel to Pretoria from his home in Port Elizabeth today because of poor health. His wife said the almost 80-year-old 'is not well' and that he 'can't walk anymore'. The board considered whether Pistorius had been rehabilitated or still poses a danger to society, as well as his conduct in prison, according to the correctional services. The hearing was closed to the media. The case was particularly high profile as the famous South African athlete had just a year earlier been the first double amputee to compete in an able-bodied Olympics. Seen as a power couple on South Africa's social scene, Ms Steenkamp was also well-known as a successful model and TV star. After taking part in London 2012, Pistorius was courted by sponsors and admired worldwide for overcoming the difficulties associated with his disability. But it all came crashing down after the killing in 2013, with the world bearing witness to his downfall as his trial was broadcast globally. Following sentencing, he was sent to the Kgosi Mampuru II maximum security prison, one of South Africa's most notorious jails. The killer, who uses prosthetics after his lower legs were amputated as a baby, was moved to the Atteridgeville prison in 2016, a facility which is better suited to disabled prisoners. Now his bid for freedom has been denied, the disgraced athlete is now expected to remain at the facility for the foreseeable future.
Timeline of events in the Oscar Pistorius murder case
February 14, 2013: Police arrest the Olympic and Paralympic sprinter for killing Steenkamp, a 29-year-old model, who was shot four times at his Pretoria home.
February 15: Pistorius bursts into tears as he is charged, denying murder 'in the strongest terms'.
February 19: Pistorius claims in an affidavit he mistook Steenkamp for an intruder. He said he fired through a locked bathroom door, in what prosecutors term 'premeditated' murder.
February 21: Global sportswear manufacturer Nike suspends its sponsorship contract with the athlete.
February 22: Pistorius is granted bail.
The trial begins
March 3, 2014: The trial opens in Pretoria before crowds of journalists from around the world, with the testimony of a neighbour who tells the court she heard 'terrible screams' from a woman. Ten days later, Pistorius vomits when a picture of Steenkamp's body is flashed on the court's television screens.
April 7-15: Pistorius takes the stand and begins with a tearful apology to Steenkamp's family. This is followed by five days of often intense cross-examination, marked by bouts of tears and breaks in the session. Pistorius steadfastly denies any intention to kill Steenkamp.
June 30: After a six-week break, a panel of three psychiatrists and a psychologist conclude Pistorius does not suffer from mental illness.
September 12: Judge Thokozile Masipa finds Pistorius guilty of culpable homicide or manslaughter.
October 21: The judge sentences him to a maximum of five years in jail. He is taken to Pretoria prison.
Under house arrest
October 20, 2015: Pistorius is allowed out of prison after just one year to spend the remainder of his sentence under house arrest.
December 3: The Supreme Court of Appeal convicts him of murder, saying his testimony was 'vacillating and untruthful'.
December 8: Pistorius is released on bail pending sentencing, and remains under house arrest.
'Shockingly lenient' sentence
March 2, 2016: Pistorius, now 29, loses his final bid to appeal his murder conviction.
July 6: He is sentenced to six years in jail for murder.
August 14: South African media reports say Pistorius is put on 24-hour suicide watch.
September 15: Prosecutors say they will petition the Supreme Court of Appeal for a tougher sentence for Pistorius, having described the six-year term as 'shockingly lenient'.
November 14: Prison authorities say Pistorius has been transferred to a prison adapted for disabled inmates just outside Pretoria to serve the rest of his sentence.
Jail term extended
November 3, 2017: The appeal court adjourns to consider its ruling after prosecutors argue that Pistorius's jail term is too short, while defence lawyers say the judge handed down a fair sentence.
November 24: The Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein more than doubles Pistorius's sentence of six years to 13 years and five months.
Parole process
March 28, 2018: South Africa's highest court rejects Pistorius's leave to appeal, ending the long legal battle over the killing.
November 29, 2021: Prison services say Pistorius has been temporarily moved to a detention facility in the southern city of Gqeberha, formerly Port Elizabeth, as part of his parole process, having become eligible for early release a few months earlier, after serving half his sentence.
July 1, 2022: Prison services say Pistorius has met with Steenkamp's parents as part of his rehabilitation process.
March 31, 2023: A parole board is called to decide on whether the 36-year-old former athlete should be released early.
