CONDEMNED murderer Oscar Pistorius appeared in court today as a parole must determine whether he can be released from prison early.
The ex sprinter36, has served half of his sentence after being convicted of murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in 2014.
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Reeva’s mother June was photographed arriving at Atteridgeville Correctional Center in Pretoria, South Africa, where the hearing is taking place.
A probation committee is expected to decide today whether Pistorius should be released from prison early.
“We have been informed that there will be a decision later today,” said Tania Koen, a lawyer representing Reeva’s family.
Steenkamp’s family will oppose his release and will make oral and written statements at the hearing about the impact the murder has had on them, Koen said.
“You can imagine it’s painful. June has to face Oscar Pistorius again this morning. He’s her daughter’s killer,’ she said.
If he gets parole, he could be released in a matter of days.
Pistorius shot dead model Reeva29, through the locked bathroom door of his home in Pretoria in the early hours of Valentine’s Day 2013.
The ex-sprinter known worldwide as the “Blade Runner” for his carbon fiber prostheses claimed he mistook her for an intruder.
After a lengthy trial and several appeals, he was found guilty of murder and sentenced to 13 years behind bars in 2017.
He was initially sentenced to six years in prison – but the term was doubled after the state appealed, it was too lenient.
The probation committee has been set up to determine whether Pistorius has been rehabilitated or continues to pose a danger to society, as well as his behavior in prison, the correctional services said.
It will also take into account his criminal record, prison training programs and his physical and mental condition, prison officials said.
Offenders in South Africa are automatically eligible for parole after serving half their sentence.
If he is not released on full parole, he may be placed on day parole, where he must return to prison overnight or be placed under supervision.
In that case he will be released, but he will have to spend some time in a penitentiary every week.
As part of his rehabilitation, Pistorius met with June and Barry last year.
Barry revealed the runner “wailed like a child” as he tried to explain his actions and refused to accept that he was a murderer.
The grieving father revealed how the couple shook hands at the prison meeting, but he still does not forgive his daughter’s murderer.
Barry said at the time: “He thanked me and told me how sorry he was. It was a touching moment.
“We decided to shake hands. I didn’t say, “I forgive you.” I just said, “Thanks.” ”
A year before killing Reeva, Pistorius became the first double amputee to race in the 2012 London Olympics.
On the tenth anniversary of Reeva’s death last month, her brother Adam told The Sun that Pistorius should not be allowed out of prison early and must serve his full term.
“I fully support his view that Oscar is unrepentant and clearly still not taking responsibility for my sister’s murder and that he should continue to serve his time,” he said.
Adam paid tribute to his sister, a “great, smart person with a great sense of humor” and said his family “will never come to terms” with her death.
“I miss her every day. What happened that morning ten years ago had devastating consequences for everyone,” he added.
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