BBC Three is to broadcast a follow-up documentary that goes behind the scenes of the Oscar Pistorius murder trial, following victim Reeva Steenkamp’s parents as they prepare for the court case and interviewing them after the verdict is announced.
Oscar Pistorious: The Truth, produced by London unit of NBC News’ Peacock Productions, will be the only UK documentary to cover the high-profile trial of the ‘Blade Runner’, South Africa’s sporting superstar who won two gold medals and a silver at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.
The hour-long special narrated by Rick Edwards, to be shown on Monday, September 15 at 9.00pm, has exclusive UK access to the Steenkamps – the family of the victim Reeva Steenkamp.
Pistorius, 27, was the poster boy of the Paralympics movement, with his prosthetic lower legs giving him the ‘Blade Runner’ nickname.
So fast and powerful, he became the first the first double leg amputee to participate in the Olympics in 2008, but since that summer, reports emerged of a different side to the South African, who was often involved in brawls and late night fracas.
His partner Reeva Steenkamp was shot to death by Pistorius on Valentine’s Day 2013 after locking herself inside a toilet cubicle at the Paralympic athletes’ home.
Pistorius admits he shot four bullets that killed Steenkamp, a model and reality TV star. However, the athlete says he fired in the mistaken belief that an intruder was breaking into his home.
Pistorius pleaded not guilty to a charge of premeditated murder, claiming he fired in an effort to protect her and himself against an intruder.
On Friday, September 12, 2014, the trial Judge cleared Pistorius of murder but found him guilty of culpable homicide.
As this protracted and difficult trial concludes, this follow-up BBC Three documentary tells the story of Reeva’s grieving parents, Barry and June Steenkamp.
Covering the lead up to the trial, the documentary reveals the couple’s fight for justice and their willingness to forgive.
Having never met him previously – her daughter dated the athlete for only three months, hundreds of miles away from their home – June Steenkamp anticipates the moment she will first come face to face with the man accused.
Attending court without her husband, due to his recent stroke, the brave mother has been a vision of strength throughout the trial, but how does she feel behind closed doors?
The new BBC Three documentary follows the channel’s previous film on the case – Oscar Pistorious: What Really Happened? – which aired in February 2013.
Sam Bickley, BBC Three’s channel editor, says: “BBC Three has a well-deserved, excellent reputation for award-winning, one-off current affairs programmes which manage to achieve incredible access to the big stories of the moment. Oscar Pistorius: The Truth – our second about this tragic case – doesn’t disappoint.”
Steve Anderson, executive producer, added: “As one of the most high profile trials of recent years, we felt it important to bring the Steenkamps’ story to BBC Three, which broadcast one of the first documentaries on the case, days after Reeva Steenkamp was killed.
“I believe we’ve managed to capture a poignant story thanks to the honesty and openness of Reeva’s parents.”
Oscar Pistorius: The Truth will be broadcast on BBC Three and BBC Three HD, and will also be available to watch online and on mobile devices via BBC iPlayer shortly after broadcast.
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Monday 15th September
Oscar Pistorius: The Truth
9.00pm-10.00pm BBC Three
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