Oscar Pistorius' parole decision due this week after fatal shooting of girlfriend

In 2013, Oscar Pistorius was sentenced to 15 years in prison for the fatal shooting of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. The athlete has completed half of his sentence and may be released from prison as early as this week.

Pistorius was part of the South African team for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, a noteworthy achievement for an athlete with disabilities.

The accomplished Paralympian, who had both of his legs amputated in his first year of life, saw a significant turning point in his career in 2013. At 36 years old, he was involved in a crime that changed the course of his life.

On Valentine's Day, Pistorius was arrested and charged with the murder of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. The athlete defended himself, claiming he mistook her for a burglar.

Despite his claims, the Paralympic athlete was found guilty of murder and sentenced to 15 years in prison. However, 19 months were deducted due to time served prior to the trial's conclusion.

Having served half of his sentence, Pistorius applied for parole. The court rejected his application initially, as he had not exceeded the minimum detention period required for release.

The Constitutional Court subsequently picked up the matter, ruling that as of March, Pistorius had served half of his sentence and was eligible to apply for early release. The Associated Press reported that an error had occurred during the court's decision process.

The court failed to consider the timeframe in which Pistorius had contested the murder verdict. This period was reevaluated, as it was crucial to the athlete's parole request.

As a result, Pistorius had another chance to apply for release. This week, a trial will decide his future, with the final decision resting in the hands of the Constitutional Court.

Despite his crime, Pistorius achieved numerous titles in his career. He won eight medals at the Paralympic Games and two silver medals at the African Championships.