Summary: Former Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius has been released on bail for the murder of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp.
What could you buy for $686? A round trip coach plane ticket from Los Angeles to Omaha? A high end piece of luggage? A new cell phone?
Or better yet, freedom from prison.
Convicted murderer Oscar Pistorius has been granted bail for $686. Yes, you heard us. $686.
South African judge Aubrey Ledwaba released Pistorius on Tuesday, allowing him to remain under house arrest as he awaits sentencing. The bail was set at 10,000 rand, which is equivalent to about $686. The famed former Olympian was convicted over a week ago of murdering his girlfriend, model Reeva Steenkamp.
The 29-year-old Pistorius was previously convicted of manslaughter in 2013, but the Supreme Court of Appeal of South Africa overturned that decision. On Valentine’s Day 2013, Pistorius shot Steenkamp, a law school graduate, through the bathroom door of his home. The athlete claimed self defense, that he thought she was an intruder; but it was proven later that he killed her during an argument.
Pistorius will be required to wear electronic monitoring as he serves house arrest at his uncle’s home. He is allowed to leave his home from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Pistorius will be sentenced on April 18. His legal team wants to appeal the murder conviction, which carries a minimum sentence of 15 years.
Before the shooting, Reeva Steenkamp and Oscar Pistorius were a glamorous celebrity couple who seemed happy on the surface. Photo courtesy of The Week.
Source: http://www.people.com/article/oscar-pistorius-release-bail-reeva-steenkamp-murder