Oscar Pistorius was told he will face trial for the murder of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in March as he appeared in court today - the same day that would have been her 30th birthday.
Wiping tears from his eyes, a visibly emotional Pistorius stood silently in the dock as he was formally indicted for premeditated murder at Pretoria Magistrates' Court.
The 26-year-old Paralympian, from South Africa, is accused of shooting Ms Steenkamp to death at their home on Valentine's night, but claims he opened fire on the 29-year-old after mistaking her for an intruder.
And after a hush finally descended on the packed courtroom, the judge set his trial to run from March 3 to March 20 next year at North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria.
Emotional: A visibly emotional Pistorius stood silently in the dock as he was formally indicted for premeditated murder at Pretoria Magistrates' Court
The 26-year-old Paralympian wiped tears from his eyes and blew his nose as he was served the indictment on the day Ms Steenkamp (right) would have turned 30
Family prayer: Before the hearing began he stood holding hands with sister Aimee and brother Carl as the three siblings prayed silently amid the commotion of the courtroom
Silent moment: Pistorius stands next to his sister Aimee and his brother Carl in silence as the courtroom commotion rages on around them
According to BBC journalist Andrew Harding, who was tweeting from the courtroom and claimed to have read the indictment, the prosecution will present 107 witnesses 'including some who allege they heard loud "argument" before shooting'.
Before the hearing began he stood holding hands with sister Aimee and brother Carl as the three siblings prayed silently amid the commotion of the courtroom.
Friends of Ms Steenkamp were also in court.
When asked by Magistrate Desmond Nair if he was well, he replied quietly: 'Under the circumstances, your honour.'
But as proceedings were postponed, the BBC's Andrew Harding claimed to have shaken his hand and asked how he was, to which Pistorius apparently shook his head and mouthed: 'Not good.'
The six-time Paralympic sprint champion was initially charged with premeditated murder for bail purposes while police investigated the circumstances of the shooting before a finalised indictment was served on the double amputee today.
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