Oscar Pistorius News: Sprinter To Be Released From Prison In August

Less than a year after Oscar Pistorius was sent to prison for shooting and killing girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, the South African sprinter will soon find himself a nearly free man. He’s set to be released from Pretoria Central Prison on Aug. 21, by which time he'll have served 10 months behind bars.

The Paralympic star was sentenced to five years in prison Oct. 21, 2014 after being convicted of culpable homicide. South African law allows for him to be released because he’ll have served one-sixth of his sentence.

Even though he’ll be out of prison, Pistorius won’t be a completely free man. He’ll be placed under "correctional supervision," according to BBC.com.

Pistorius’ legal troubles are not finished with his release from prison. He was not found guilty of murder for killing Steenkamp, but the prosecution is appealing the ruling. CNN reports that the state’s appeal will be heard in November, and the exact date will be decided in August. A murder conviction would force Pistorius to serve a prison sentence of at least 15 years.

Pistorius killed Steenkamp on Valentine’s Day 2013 when he fired four shots through a bathroom door in his home. He’s acknowledged pulling the trigger, but claimed that he thought he was firing at an intruder. Judge Thokozile Masipa ruled that Pistorius was not guilty of murder, but he was negligent when he opened fire in his home.

The case management committee at the Kgosi Mampuru II prison in Pretoria, South Africa, made the recommendation last week that Pistorius be released. He’s been cited for good behavior, and had his privileges extended in February, such as the right to wear jewelry and have physical contact with his visitors.