Pretoria, South Africa (SportsNetwork.com) - The murder trial for South African sprinter Oscar Pistorius has been adjourned until April 7 because of an illness to one of the judge's aides.
Pistorius, the double-amputee runner, shot and killed his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, on Feb. 14, 2013 in the bathroom of his home. He has said he thought Steenkamp was an intruder and mistakenly killed her. Prosecutors have countered that Pistorius knew Steenkamp was in the bathroom when he fired the four shots through the door.
The prosecution rested on Tuesday and the defense was set to begin its case on Friday after a two-day hiatus. Pistorius is expected to take the witness stand in his own defense, but will now have to wait more than a week.
Judge Thokozile Masipa announced the delay Friday. She will decide whether Pistorius is innocent or guilty of premeditated murder since South Africa does not have trial by jury.
The judge has two aides, called assessors in the South African legal system, to help assist in the case.
Neither the prosecution nor the defense objected to the delay.
The trial began on March 3 and has been televised throughout South Africa.
In addition to the murder charge, Pistorius also faces charges of contravening South Africa's Firearms Control Act.
The murder charge could carry a sentence of life in prison. There is no death penalty in South Africa.
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