Reeva Steenkamp’s parents took aim at Oscar Pistorius her prisoner, blaming him for not showing any remorse when the disgraced Olympic athlete pleads for parole. He has already served half of his sentence.
June and Barry Steenkamp said the situation is a ‘horror story’ just days after the Paralympian wrote them an ’emotionally distressing’ letter as part of South Africa’s ‘restorative justice’ parole process.
June spoke to Good Morning Britain at their Port Elizabeth residence and said that he has shown no remorse. He would show some remorse if it helps him get out of prison.
Reeva Steenkahmp’s parents have condemned Oscar Pistorius, her killer in jail, for not showing any remorse
Barry and June Steenkamp stated that the current situation was a “horror tale” just days after they received an emotional distressing letter from the Paralympian.
“We didn’t get the complete story. He changed his mind 3 times, and I do not believe it is the truth. We don’t believe this story.
We want the truth. It’s been a nightmare story.
Pistorius is 34 years old and eligible to parole. He was convicted in July of shooting Ms Steenkamp repeatedly through a Pretoria, South Africa toilet door on Valentine’s Day 2013.
He said he mistook the model-turned-law graduate of 29 years old South Africa for an intruder. However, he was found guilty and sentenced to five year imprisonment.
After he was convicted of murder, his sentence was increased to 13 years in 2015.
After being convicted multiple times of murder in the shooting death of Ms Steenkamp, Pistorius (34) is now eligible for parole
After six years of imprisonment in Pretoria’s low-security prison, Pistorius could be paroled.
He wrote a letter to Mrs Steenkamp as part of his parole procedure. His lawyer described it as “like ripping off a Band-Aid from a wound”.
Speaking today, Barry said: ‘June and myself, we were dumbfounded.
“I believe the letter was sent by Oscar to discuss parole. It’s June. Our lawyer and I have seen the contents of the letter. We’re keeping it quiet, and won’t reveal what it said to anyone. Oscar wrote the letter. We may let others know later, but not right now.
A grieving father stated, “One day I would love to talk to Oscar. Man to man.”
June, June, and ourselves feel that this story still has a lot to tell. Oscar would be able to reveal all the details. This is why we are the ones who want to meet Oscar.
“I’d like to chat with him and see where it leads.”
After six years of imprisonment in Pretoria’s low-security prison, Pistorius could be eligible for parole
June responded to June’s question about whether Pistorius should complete his sentence. We expect that.
Susanna Reid asked her parents to forgive the murderer of their daughter.
But June said, “Sorry isn’t enough in any situation.” She was not going to live without her children. She doesn’t have a wedding and we don’t have any grandchildren. And she wouldn’t wear her wedding gown.
“She was without everything. He took all of her, and everything from us. That is what is most important to me.
Because I believe in God, I forgave him. Because I have to, I am a Christian. God asked for forgiveness, but this doesn’t necessarily mean that God hasn’t got the right to make amends. The story is not true, as he did not show any regrets.
“We do not believe his story. It is not clear how this happened. We desire the truth.
Tania Koen, the lawyer for the couple, said to the Mirror, “I cannot reveal the contents of the letter.”
They were very upset. He sent it to me because he didn’t know that they were coming.
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 and Barry Steenkamp received a distressing note from the Paralympic Gold Medalist. It was sent as part of South Africa’s rehabilitation justice parole system. In this process, prisoners are required to take full responsibility for their actions.
Pistorius’ parents were also upset that he was eligible for parole even though he has been in prison since July. They had previously been informed that a release would only be possible until March 2023.
The parole hearing was originally scheduled to take place last month, but the date was cancelled due to a lack of a meeting between Steenkamp and Pistorius’ parents. 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.
According to South Africa’s Victim-Offender Dialog Policy, the Steenkamps desire a face-toface meeting with Pistorius.
Pistorius shot their daughter, and the couple have stated they are ready to take him to task. Victim-offender meetings would be held to help victims’ families get closure.
Mirror, Ms Koen said: “Yes. They want that face-to face.”
Barry has been saying for years that he would like to meet Oscar. He also has questions. Although they aren’t emotionally ready, they are willing to meet Oscar.
“They agree that Oscar may be parole eligible one day and would offer their opinion.”
Ms Koen said earlier: ‘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.
However, she stated that June and Barry are both upset about the way Pistorius has been paroled.
Ms. Koen explained that the disrespect for their emotional well-being was equally upsetting.
“They found out that the parole board had set a parole date and had never informed them of it.
“The proper procedure wasn’t 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.
A parole board considers the opinions of victim’s families when making a decision about whether or not to release an inmate. However, it isn’t the only consideration.
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 stated that he believed the meeting between Pistorius, the Steenkamps and Mr Knight, which is required before parole hearings can take place, would be possible by the end the year.
The Steenkamps were shocked when officials from corrections contacted them to inform them that Pistorius was eligible for parole. He would be eligible only in 2023, they thought, she stated.
Ms Koen explained that it can open a lot wounds and rip off plasters.
Pistorius was pictured during the London Olympic Games. He was sentenced to six-years in prison for murder. But prosecutors once again appealed to what they described as a shockingly low punishment for murder. In 2017, the Supreme Court of Appeal more than doubled Pistorius’ sentence.
Pistorius’ protracted and lengthy murder trial as well two appeals by the prosecutors led to some confusion regarding when he was eligible. Pistorius was brought to trial in 2014. His case was finally closed in 2018.
Multiple Paralympic champ was originally found guilty of culpable murder – an offense similar to manslaughter for firing Steenkamp’s 9mm licensed pistol.
At her trial, he said it was a tragedy and mistook the victim for an intruder.
Prosecutors appealed against the verdict for manslaughter and were convicted of murder.
Pistorius 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.
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 stated that he believes Pistorius met all requirements for early release.
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.