Former Olympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius, who was convicted of killing his girlfriend in 2013, has been denied parole and will remain in prison for the foreseeable future.
Pistorius has served about half of his 13-year prison sentence after he was convicted of shooting and killing 29-year-old Reeva Steenkamp in 2013.
Pistorius had called the shooting an accident, saying he thought it was an intruder. He was initially charged with manslaughter, which was later upgraded to murder.
While the double-amputee known as the “Blade Runner” was said to be hopeful for early parole, TMZ reported that it was never actually a viable option.
“At the proceedings in Pretoria, officials said he had actually not served the minimum requirement to get parole,” wrote TMZ. “Officials said there was some sort of miscalculation of when his formal sentencing actually began, and the hearing would need to be pushed.”
Pistorius can reapply for early release in August 2024 now.
Steenkamp’s parents attended the hearing and spoke out against Pistorius being paroled. Per Sky News, Steenkamp’s mother told reporters that she believed the 36-year-old runner was not remorseful and that she didn’t believe he was rehabilitated. The parents have long said that they believe Pistorius should spend the rest of his life in prison.
[TMZ]
