Oscar Pistorius Could Be Released Next Month After Serving Just 10 Months In Prison

The parathalete will have served just one-sixth of his five year sentence for the culpable homicide of girlfriend Reeve Steenkamp

Oscar Pistorius Could Be Released Next Month After Serving Just 10 Months In Prison

by Debrief Staff |
Published on

Olympic and Paralympic runner Oscar Pistorius could be released from prison as early as 21st August - after serving just 10 months of his five-year sentence.

South African courts cleared the double amputee of murder, but found him guilty of culpable homicide after he shot his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp several times through a closed door in their shared home.

A prison committee has recommended that Pistorius be released on the soonest possible date allowed under South African law, which requires that he spend at least one-sixth of his sentence in prison. AP reports that acting National Commissioner of Correctional Services, Zach Modise, has said that the recommendation was made based on his good behaviour whilst incarcerated. The decision of a parole board is still pending.

If Pistorius is freed on this date, he will continue to serve the remainder of his sentence at home under strict conditions. The specific details of his house arrest will not be made public.

However, South Africa's Supreme Court of Appeal is currently considering an appeal against the parathalete's acquittal of murder. A decision is due in November. If the court decides that the trial judge was wrong to acquit, Pistorius could be sent back to prison to serve a 15 year sentence.

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This article originally appeared on The Debrief.

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