Oscar Pistorius’ Prosthetic Legs May Keep Him From House Arrest

Oscar Pistorius, who was found guilty of manslaughter last month for the death of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, was sentenced to five years in prison but was hoping to serve less than a year and com...
Oscar Pistorius’ Prosthetic Legs May Keep Him From House Arrest
Written by Amanda Crum

Oscar Pistorius, who was found guilty of manslaughter last month for the death of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, was sentenced to five years in prison but was hoping to serve less than a year and complete the rest while being monitored at home. Now, it’s unclear whether he will be allowed to do so after a source said that his double-amputee status will make it impossible to attach an ankle bracelet.

“The device has to be attached physically to the offender’s ankle. We cannot use it on false limbs which could be left somewhere static while the offender goes missing,” said a prison official.

Pistorius gained fame with a turn in both the Olympics and the Paralympics and earned the nickname “Blade Runner” due to his unique prosthetics. The athlete was charged in the Valentine’s Day shooting of model Reeva Steenkamp last year after police were called to the home following reports of shots fired. Steenkamp was found in the bathroom, having been shot four times through the closed door. Pistorius told authorities he heard a noise in the bathroom in the middle of the night and, thinking it was an intruder, grabbed his weapon and shot without checking to make sure his girlfriend was in bed.

A hearing will be held on December 9 as prosecutors try to appeal the verdict and have him charged with Steenkamp’s murder. If he is found guilty, he could face up to 15 years in prison.

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