Oscar Pistorius: ‘Mansion Arrest’ To Follow Release From Prison
Oscar Pistorius will remain on “mansion arrest” following his early release from prison. Although the former Paralympic champion was originally sentenced to five years, he will serve the remainder of his term at his uncle’s Pretoria, South Africa, home.
In the late evening hours of February 14, 2013, Pistorius shot and killed his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. Although he never denied the shooting, the former athlete maintains he mistook his lover for an intruder.
During a police interview, Oscar Pistorius said he was awoken in the middle of the night by strange noises — which were coming from the bathroom. As he assumed Steenkamp was asleep, he became convinced an intruder entered his home through the bathroom window.
As reported by ABC News, Pistorious said he called out to the “intruder” through the bathroom door. However, as the person did not reply, he fired four shots into the locked room.
When he returned to the bedroom, he realized Reeva Steenkamp was not in the bed. He eventually found the key to the bathroom, unlocked the door, and found his lover unresponsive. An autopsy later revealed the 29-year-old woman was shot three times — including a fatal blow to the head.
Although he insists the shooting was accidental, Oscar Pistorius was arrested and charged with murder.
Prosecutors in South Africa file papers calling for Oscar Pistorius to be convicted of murder http://t.co/9qDMVGEwYI pic.twitter.com/CvcmCKhetM
— UK Justice Forum (@Justice_forum) August 17, 2015
As reported by Independent, authorities believe the former Paralympic champion knew his girlfriend was in the bathroom and intentionally shot her through the door.
“Pistorius knew Reeva was behind the door. She was talking to him when he shot her. The bullet trajectory shows the first shot aimed towards the toilet… he then changed position, and fired the next two in the direction of a magazine rack on the floor. The first bullet struck Reeva in the hip. Pistorius heard her fall, and then changed position.”
Although he vehemently denied the charges, Pistorius was convicted of culpable homicide on September 11, 2014. Judge Masipa acknowledged the shooting was likely accidental. However, she said the defendant was negligent — as he did not confirm Reeva Steenkamp’s whereabouts prior to discharging the weapon.
One month later, the former Paralympic champion was sentenced to a maximum of five years in prison.
After serving 10 months, officials confirmed Oscar Pistorius will serve the remainder of his term on “mansion arrest.”
As reported by Reuters, the former athlete will remain on “custodial supervision” and will be required to wear an ankle monitor. However, he will have free reign of his uncle’s estate, which includes “more than a dozen bedrooms, a private gym, outdoor swimming pool and landscaped gardens.”
Although Oscar Pistorius will remain on “mansion arrest” for several years, officials said he will likely be granted permission to “leave the house to work, carry out community service or to attend important family events.”
[Image via Christopher Furlong/Getty Images]
