(CNN) South Africa’s Parole Board on Friday will hear requests for early release for disgraced Paralympian Oscar Pistorius, who was jailed for the shooting death of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.
Pistorius was eligible for parole after serving more than half of his 13-year sentence. But Steenkamp’s parents are opposed to an early release, her lawyer Tania Koen told CNN ahead of the parole hearing at the Pretoria prison where he is serving his sentence.
“I can confirm June [Steenkamp] will represent himself and Barry [Steenkamp] …at the parole hearing to consider Oscar Pistorius’ parole. June will appeal against parole,” Koen said, adding that the family would also make statements at the hearing about the impact Steenkamp’s murder had on the family.
The former Olympic sprinter shot his partner four times through the bathroom door of his home in 2013, denying he killed her in a fit of anger and instead saying he mistook her for an intruder.
Koen said Pistorius told “various versions” of what happened and “never clarified” why he fired the “last shot” that killed Steenkamp.
A decision by the parole board is not expected on Friday, Koen said.
Under South African law, prisoners can be paroled after serving half of their sentence if they meet conditions such as: B. Good behavior in prison.
In 2018, the athlete’s father, Henke Pistorius, told the British Times newspaper that he ran Bible classes and prayer groups for prisoners, including the prison’s most feared gang leader.
To be eligible for parole, Pistorius had to participate in South Africa’s “restorative justice” process, which allows offenders to “acknowledge and take responsibility for their actions.”
The athlete, once hailed as an inspirational figure after competing at the 2012 Olympics, became the focus of a process that was followed around the world.
At trial, Pistorius pleaded not guilty to one count of murder and one charge of firearms in connection with Steenkamp’s murder.
Prosecutors argued that her killing was premeditated and that the shooting happened after the couple had an argument.
He frequently broke down in court and his past behavior has come under scrutiny.
Pistorius was sentenced to five years in prison for manslaughter in 2014. But a higher court overturned the conviction and changed it to murder a year later, increasing his sentence to six years in prison.
The sentence was appealed by prosecutors who claimed the sentence was too lenient. Pistorius’ sentence was increased to 13 years and five months by South Africa’s Supreme Court of Appeal in 2017.