South African 'Blade Runner' who served 10 years for murder granted parole

Though Pistorius testified at his murder trial that he’d killed Steenkamp by mistake, prosecutors argued he had killed her in a rage.

Published: November 24, 2023 11:39am

South African Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius was reportedly granted parole after serving more than a decade for murdering his girlfriend, model Reeva Steenkamp.

Pistorius, 37, had been sentenced to 13 years and five months after he was convicted of murdering Steenkamp on Valentine’s Day in 2013.

According to Fox News, the Department of Correctional Services in South Africa granted him parole, which will become effective on Jan. 5. As a condition of his parole, Pistorius will not be allowed to leave the area of Pretoria, where he will be living, without permission from authorities. He will also have to attend an anger management program and perform community service.

Though Pistorius testified at his murder trial that he’d killed Steenkamp by mistake, prosecutors argued he had killed her in a rage.

The disabled athlete, who had both of his legs amputated below the knee when he was 11 months old, earned the nickname “Blade Runner” for the advanced carbon-fiber prosthetics he used in competitions. After winning several gold medals at the 2004 and 2008 Paralympics, Pistorius became the first amputee to compete against able-bodied men in running events at the Olympics, losing in the semifinals of the 400 meter run at the London Olympics in 2012, according to The New York Times

The Facts Inside Our Reporter's Notebook

Unlock unlimited access

  • No Ads Within Stories
  • No Autoplay Videos
  • VIP access to exclusive Just the News newsmaker events hosted by John Solomon and his team.
  • Support the investigative reporting and honest news presentation you've come to enjoy from Just the News.
  • Just the News Spotlight

    Support Just the News