What Happened on the Day Oscar Pistorius Killed Reeva Steenkamp?
by Ruksana
Updated Jan 06, 2024
What Happened on The Day Oscar Pistorius Killed Reeva Steenkamp?
On February 14, 2013, Oscar Pistorius, a South African Olympic runner known as the "Blade Runner" due to his prosthetic legs, shot and killed his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. Pistorius claimed he mistook her for an intruder in his home.
In the early hours of that day, Pistorius fired four shots through a locked toilet door, fatally hitting Steenkamp. Pistorius later testified that he thought an intruder was in the bathroom, leading him to shoot in self-defense. However, prosecutors argued it was intentional murder following a heated argument.
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The Day Oscar Pistorius Murder Case
The murder case against Oscar Pistorius began on March 3, 2014, in the High Court of South Africa in Pretoria. Pistorius was charged with murdering Reeva Steenkamp and several gun-related offenses. During the trial, Pistorius maintained he had mistaken Steenkamp for an intruder. The court proceedings were highly publicized, and the trial included live broadcasts of audio and parts on television.
On September 12, 2014, Judge Thokozile Masipa found Pistorius not guilty of murder but guilty of culpable homicide and reckless endangerment. Subsequent appeals led to his conviction being changed to murder, resulting in an increased sentence.
Who is Oscar Pistorius?
Oscar Pistorius, born on November 22, 1986, in South Africa, is a former professional sprinter and a convicted murderer. Both his feet were amputated when he was 11 months old due to a congenital defect. Despite having prosthetic limbs, Pistorius competed in both Paralympic and Olympic Games, making history as the first amputee to win a nondisabled world track medal.
However, his life took a tragic turn when he shot and killed his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, on February 14, 2013. Pistorius was initially convicted of culpable homicide and later of murder.
Is Oscar Pistorius Released?
Yes, Oscar Pistorius has been released on parole. After serving almost nine years of his 13-year and five-month sentence for the murder of Reeva Steenkamp, he was granted parole in November. Pistorius was released from Atteridgeville Correctional Center in Pretoria on January 5, 2024.
His release is subject to strict parole conditions, including restrictions on leaving his home, a ban on alcohol consumption, attendance in programs on anger management and violence against women, community service, and regular meetings with parole officials. Pistorius is expected to remain under parole until December 2029, and any violation of these conditions could lead to his return to jail.
What Happened On The Day Oscar Pistorius Killed Reeva Steenkamp? - FAQs
On February 14, 2013, Oscar Pistorius shot and killed Reeva Steenkamp.
Oscar Pistorius is known as the "Blade Runner" due to his prosthetic legs.
Pistorius claimed he mistook Reeva Steenkamp for an intruder in his home.
Pistorius fired four shots through a locked toilet door.
The murder case began on March 3, 2014, in the High Court of South Africa.