In his first television interview since killing girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in 2013, former Paralympic medallist Oscar Pistorius claims that she would want him out of jail so he could help the less fortunate.
In the interview, which screens on TV3 on Monday night, Pistorius gives his account of what happened on the night he fatally shot Ms Steenkamp. He also discusses his relationship with her and addresses allegations he'd been abusive to her before.
Pistorius says dealing with a murder charge has been difficult for him -- and said while he's comfortable with the idea of spending 10 years in prison for culpable homicide, he isn't prepared to go to jail for murder.
The 29-year-old was originally convicted of manslaughter, but an appeal court overturned that decision and instead found him guilty of murder.
"I don't want to go back to jail -- I don't want to have to waste my life sitting there," he said.
"If I was afforded the opportunity of redemption I would like to help the less fortunate like I had in my past. I would like to believe that if Reeva could look down upon me that she would want me to live that life."
Pistorius says he wouldn't argue with those who want to "lock me up and throw the key away", but maintains that he only had a constructive influence on society before killing Ms Steenkamp.
"Reeva was a fantastic person, but if their premise is based on the fact that I took her life intentionally -- which has not been found -- then it's a very sad thing to think that society would want to do that," he said.
"I had only contributed positively -- I'd like to believe -- to people's lives before this tragedy happened."
Pistorius now looks ahead to sentencing on July 6, where he will face a minimum of 15 years in prison.
You can watch ‘Oscar Pistorius –The Interview’ exclusively on 3NOW, and on TV3 on Monday June 27 at 8:30pm.
Newshub.
