Background and Charges
Oscar Pistorius, a South African Paralympic sprinter, was charged with the 2013 shooting death of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. Prosecutors initially classified the case as culpable homicide before upgrading it to murder.
Court Proceedings and Verdict
The trial took place in the Pretoria High Court, where the defense argued Pistorius mistook Steenkamp for an intruder. In 2014, he was convicted of culpable homicide and sentenced to five years in prison. In 2015, South Africa's Supreme Court of Appeal overturned the conviction and found him guilty of murder, leading to a revised sentence.
Sentence and Release
After serving part of his sentence under house arrest, Pistorius was released in 2024 following parole board approval. He remains subject to parole conditions and ongoing legal restrictions. For details, see the official South African Department of Justice and Correctional Services page here.
