Jailed Oscar Pistorius has sent an ’emotionally distressing’ letter to the parents of his murdered girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in a move which their lawyer described as ‘like ripping a Band-Aid off a wound’.
Pistorius (34 years old) is eligible for parole after he was convicted for murdering Ms Steenkamp through a Pretoria, South Africa toilet door on Valentine’s Day 2013.
The Paralympic gold medalist sent her parents June and Barry Steenkamp a letter as part of South Africa’s ‘restorative justice’ parole process whereby prisoners must take responsibility for their actions.
Tania Koen was their lawyer and told the Mirror, “I can’t divulge what it contained.”
“It was very distressing emotionally for them. It was not known that it was coming, and was sent by the attorney to me.
Oscar Pistorius sent a ’emotionally disturbing’ letter to Reeva Steenkamp’s parents. Their lawyer described it as “like ripping off a Band-Aid from a wound”.
Pistorius, 34, has been eligible for parole since July after he was convicted of murder for shooting model Reeva Steenkamp (pictured) multiple times through a toilet door in his home Pretoria, South Africa, on Valentine’s Day 2013
June Steenkamp, Paralympic gold medalist, sent her parents a distressing letter. This was part of South Africa’s “restorative justice” parole process. Prisoners must accept responsibility for their actions.
Pistorius was also eligible for parole from July, when he had been released from prison.
Last month was scheduled for a parole hearing. However, it was cancelled because of the inability to arrange a meeting with Steenhamp’s parent. It is not known when a new hearing will be held.
Pistorius has already served the first half of his 13 years sentence, having been convicted in 2015 of murder. He must now meet June or Barry to be considered for release.
As per South Africa’s victim offender dialogue policy, the Steenkamps would like to meet Pistorius face-to-face.
The couple previously stated that they wanted to confront Pistorius about why he killed their daughter. They would also get the chance to meet victim-offenders to seek closure for victims’ families.
Mirror, Ms Koen said: “Yes. They want that face-to face.”
“Barry says he’s wanted to see Oscar for many years and has many questions. Although they aren’t emotionally ready, they are willing to meet Oscar.
They accept that Oscar is eligible for parole one day, and will give their consent.
Ms Koen said earlier this week: ‘They (Barry and June) feel that Reeva has got a voice. Reeva’s voice is in their hands, and it’s their responsibility to her.
Reeva Steenkamp’s parents June (left) and Barry (Right), attended court for the murder trial in 2014.
She said that June and Barry were upset at the manner in which Pistorius was paroled by the parole board.
Ms. Koen said that the disrespect for their emotional well-being was equally upsetting.
“They were shocked to learn that parole had scheduled a parole hearing and hadn’t informed them.
“The correct procedure was not followed.”
While the Steenkamps can make recommendations to a parole board, Koen won’t state if they’ll oppose Pistorius being released.
Koen stated that they had discussed the matter, but refused to provide details.
Parole board members consider the opinion of victims’ family members when they decide whether to release an accused. But it’s not all that is important.
Pistorius could be taken from where he is incarcerated at the Atteridgeville Correctional Center in the capital, Pretoria, to the Steenkamps’ home city of Gqerberha for the victim-offender meeting because, according to Ms Koen, Barry Steenkamp is unable to travel due to his health.
Julian Knight, Pistorius’ lawyer said that it could ‘turn out’ this way. However, the corrections division would make the final decision. Knight expressed optimism that the meeting between Pistorius & the Steenkamps could be held before the parole hearing.
The Steenkamps were shocked when officials from corrections contacted them to inform them that Pistorius was eligible for parole. She said that they believed he’d be eligible for parole in 2023.
Ms Koen explained that it can open a lot wounds and rip off the plasters they have put on these wounds.
Pistorius’ protracted and lengthy murder trial as well two appeals by the prosecutors led to some confusion regarding when he was eligible. Pistorius’ case went to trial in 2014. It was not concluded until 2018.
In the initial trial, Steenkamp was found guilty in culpable Homicide. This is an equivalent to manslaughter. Steenkamp had been shooting Steenkamp using his licensed 9 mm pistol.
At his trial, he claimed that it was an unfortunate accident. He mistook her as a dangerous intrusion.
Prosecutors appealed against the verdict for manslaughter and were convicted of murder.
Pistorius, pictured at the London Olympic Games, was sentenced for six years for murder. However, prosecutors appealed again to what they considered a shockingly mild punishment for murder. In 2017, the Supreme Court of Appeal more than doubled Pistorius’ sentence.
Pistorius was sentenced at six years imprisonment for murder. But prosecutors appealed against what they said to be a shockingly low punishment. In 2017, the Supreme Court of Appeal more than doubled Pistorius’ sentence.
Later, Mr Knight sought clarification from the Supreme Court regarding the sentence to determine if time Pistorius spent in prison for culpable murder should be counted towards his parole.
According to Mr Knight, it did. This means that Pistorius can be eligible for parole up to two years sooner than originally indicated by the courts.
Knight claimed that Pistorius was able to meet the conditions for being released earlier than expected.
Knight stated that he was a good prisoner, based on what he had seen. Knight stated that although he meets the criteria to receive parole, he must follow the procedure.
If Pistorius is granted parole, Knight stated that a board of directors could place a variety of conditions on him. For example, only he can leave his home during the work week and for limited periods on weekends to shop and go to church.