Pistorius hopes for parole as panel reviews case

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – A South African parole board met Friday, September 18 to determine whether Paralympian star Oscar Pistorius should be released early from a prison sentence for killing his girlfriend, but made no announcement by the end of the day.

The double-amputee sprinter, 28, was sentenced in October to 5 years in prison for killing model and law graduate Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine’s Day 2013, after a trial that attracted global headlines.

He was found guilty of culpable homicide – a charge equivalent to manslaughter – after saying during the trial that he shot her through a locked bathroom door because he mistook her for an intruder.

Pistorius was due to leave prison last month to serve the rest of his sentence under house arrest, but Justice Minister Michael Masutha blocked his release and referred the case to the parole review board.

Even if he is freed, Pistorius could find himself back behind bars for a minimum of 15 years if an appeal by prosecutors is successful.

They are pursuing a murder conviction and a longer sentence, saying Pistorius deliberately killed Steenkamp after an argument

If the parole review board decides that Pistorius should be released from prison, the athlete might be able to leave jail immediately, his lawyer Brian Webber told Agence France-Presse, but there was no indication Friday of when that decision would be made.

Whatever the outcome of the parole decision, the Supreme Court of Appeal will hear the prosecution’s appeal in November. – Rappler.com