Post by cjm on Jun 10, 2016 7:42:31 GMT
Oscar's first TV interview since Reeva's death to address misconceptions – family2016-06-09 21:12
Jeanette Chabalala, News24
Pretoria – After declining almost all requests for interviews, former Paralympian Oscar Pistorius will give his first interview since the night he shot and killed his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, to address some of the "misconceptions that have remained unchallenged", says the family.
In a statement on Thursday, Pistorius's uncle Arnold said that after considering various offers and options available, he decided to engage investigative journalist Mark Williams-Thomas from British broadcaster, ITV.
He said ITV would be able to provide the family with a voice.
"I felt his platform on ITV was the most appropriate place to do this – because of its style and format," he said.
Pistorius' uncle said since Steenkamp's death, the family had received numerous requests for paid-for interviews but, despite Oscar's "crippling" legal fees, he has mostly declined the offers.
"Over the past three years we have been very judicious in our media engagement and commented only in situations where it was not possible to manage the weight of media inquiries in other ways.
Handing down of sentence
"We have been deeply respectful of the legal process and mindful not to contribute to the media frenzy that has characterised this case. We declined almost all requests for interviews and comment."
Oscar Pistorius shot and killed his girlfriend Steenkamp in his Pretoria home on Valentine's Day in 2013, claiming he mistook her for an intruder hiding in his toilet.
He served one-sixth of his five-year sentence for culpable homicide in prison. He was released in October last year to serve the remainder under correctional supervision at his uncle's Pretoria home.
The State approached the Supreme Court of Appeal to have the conviction of culpable homicide set aside. On December 3 last year, the court found in favour of the State and found him guilty of murder.
Pistorius now faces a minimum sentence of 15 years and will hear his fate when sentencing proceedings commence on June 13.
Pistorius' uncle said the documentary would be aired after the conclusion of the court proceedings