Girlfriend murderer Oscar Pistorius distressing letter to victims family in parole bid
Murderer Oscar Pistorius sent his victim Reeva Steenkampâs parents a âdistressingâ letter in a move their lawyer said was âlike ripping a Band-Aid off a woundâ.
Pistorius has been eligible for parole since July, having served half his 13-year sentence for shooting his girlfriend dead at his home in Pretoria, South Africa, on Valentineâs Day, 2013.
As part of the parole process in South Africa, prisoners must âacknowledge and take responsibility for their actionsâ, which led him to write his letter to June and Barry Steenkamp.
Their lawyer, Tania Koen, told the Mirror: âI cannot divulge the contents of that letter.
âIt was quite emotionally distressing for them. They did not know it was coming and it was sent to me by his attorney.â
Pistorius at sentencing in 2016 ( AFP/Getty Images)Ms Koen also told of Barry and Juneâs distress when they learned Pistorius, 34, had been eligible for parole since July and a hearing had been set for the end of October, which was later cancelled after they found out.
They had been told he would not be released until after March 2023.
June and Barry have also been asked by the prison service to meet their daughterâs killer before his release, and are willing to see him.
Mum June Steenkamp ( REUTERS)The lawyer said the âvictim-offender dialogueâ was not compulsory for the victimâs family, but Barry and June were willing to meet Pistorius.
Ms Koen said: âYes, they want to do that face to face.
âBarry has said for years he wants to meet Oscar and he has questions to ask. They are not emotionally prepared, but are prepared to meet Oscar.
Pistorius at London 2012 Olympics ( Getty Images Europe)âThey accept the day will come when Oscar will be eligible for parole and they would give their input.â
But she said the couple had been upset by the way Pistoriusâs parole was handled.
She said: âWhat was also very upsetting was the disregard for their emotional wellbeing.
âThey had to find out the parole board had already convened a date for parole and never advised them about it.
Dad Barry Steenkamp ( Daily Mirror)âThe proper procedure was not followed.â
Singabakho Nxumalo, of the prison service, confirmed the Steenkamps were asked to meet Pistorius in a possible âvictim-offender dialogueâ.
Pistorius, a double amputee who in 2012 became the first athlete to compete in the Olympics on âbladesâ, claimed he thought he was shooting an intruder when he killed Reeva, 29.
Read More Oscar Pistorius' despicable defence in murder trial as he vomited at graphic testimony Read More Oscar Pistorius' life in jail with ensuite and veg patch after Reeva Steenkamp murder
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