‘Legless man’ Oscar Pistorius pardoned after 11 years in prison for killing girlfrienz

 On January 5, South African officials confirmed that Paralympic gold medalist Oscar Pistorius, a disabled athlete who participated in the Paralympics and won many gold medals, has been pardoned after nearly 11 years in prison for using a pistol to murder his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

Oscar Pistorius surrounded by a “forest” of camera lenses when he arrived at court to face trial for the murder of his girlfriend (Photo: Getty).

Authorities said Pistorius returned home on the morning of January 5 (local time) after serving more than half of his sentence, thereby qualifying for parole under South African law.

Despite being pardoned, the double-amputee will remain under strict “house arrest,” including no media contact, until his prison term expires in 2029.

Pistorius will reside at the home of his uncle Arnold Pistorius, in an upscale suburb of the capital Pretoria (South Africa).

In 2013, Pistorius fired four shots through the bathroom door of his house on suspicion of a burglary, however, the person behind the door was his ill-fated girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

Two years later, the athlete nicknamed “the legless man” was convicted of murder by the appeals court , at the same time rejecting the previous conclusion of the trial court that this was a culpable homicide.

Pistorius first served his prison sentence in October 2014, shortly after being convicted of attempted murder. He was released on bail and placed under house arrest between 2015 and 2016, before his sentence was overturned on appeal and his prison term increased.

Reacting to Pistorius’ acquittal, Ms Steenkamp’s mother said her family accepted the decision, as acquittal after serving more than half of a prison sentence for all types of crimes is part of the South African justice system.

Oscar Pistorius Defense Is Moving Target, Prosecutor Complains

Prosecutor asks that Pistorius undergo 30-day psychiatric evaluation.

PRETORIA, South Africa May 13, 2014— — The prosecutor in the Oscar Pistorius trial today asked that the Blade Runner be hospitalized for a 30 day psychiatric evaluation and complained to the judge that Pistorius’ lawyers keep changing his defense.

The request came a day after a psychiatrist testifying for the defense told the court that Pistorius suffered from generalized anxiety disorder, a condition that would make him more willing to fight than to flee when faced with what he considered a threat.

Prosecutor Gerrie Nel noted that the psychiatrist, Dr. Merryll Vorster, interviewed Pistorius, his family, friends and other associates in recent weeks, after the trial began and after Pistorius testified in his own defense.

“The timing [of the evidence] is significant,” Nel told Judge Thokozile Masipa. “My Lady, the consultation happened after the evidence of the accused. There must be a reason why that consultation would take place at that time.”

“Can it not be seen, my lady, as a fall-back?” Nel asked.

Nel suggested that perhaps it was because “the accused was not the most impressive witness.”

Pistorius is accused of murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp before dawn on Valentine’s Day 2013, shooting through a locked bathroom door. Pistorius testified that he believed burglars were in his home and that he didn’t mean to fire, but fired the volley of shots while in a state of terror.

Nel said Pistorius has changed his defense for a third time.

“His initial defense was putative self-defense. Then I thought his defense was adapted to automatic firing. Now psychiatrist says he suffers from a mental disorder,” Nel said. “We don’t know which of the three versions” is Pistorius’ defense, he said.

The prosecutor asked that Pistorius undergo the month-long evaluation to determine if he does suffer from a mental disorder, which could seriously delay the already lengthy trial. The judge said she would rule on the request when court resumes Wednesday.

Vorster, a forensic psychiatrist, told the court she diagnosed Pistorius with GAD, and said he has been suffering from the condition since childhood and that it has been escalating over time. She said he also suffers from depression, but that this was brought on by the shooting incident.

During her evidence, which concluded today, she explained to the court how Pistorius’ physical vulnerability, combined with his mental disorder, could have influenced his reactions when he thought he heard intruders in his bathroom. She was, however, insistent that his condition did not impact on his ability to distinguish between right and wrong and to act accordingly.