Pistorius Freed After Serving 9 Years for Murder
The Facts
Oscar Pistorius, the double-amputee Olympic sprinter , has been released on parole from a South African prison after serving nine years for murdering his model girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp.
Pistorius was released on Friday because, under South African law, all offenders can request early release after serving half a sentence.
The Spin
Narrative A
Pistorius' parole shows the South African justice system doesn't take gender-based violence seriously. While a celebrity gets to walk free, the family he left without a daughter has to suffer from her loss for the foreseeable future. Here's hoping the media will allow the family to live in peace, unlike the whirlpool it created during and after the trial.
Narrative B
Far from being free, Pistorius will have to adhere to strict guidelines while on parole — including a prohibition against media interviews and a requirement to attend anger-management sessions and programs about gender-based violence. In addition, his athletic career is all but over. Under South African law, he can be out of prison but will continue to pay for his crime.
