“I respectfully believe the state has no basis for alleging that I wanted to take Reeva’s life,” Oscar Pistorius told the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria, South Africa, on March 3, the first day of his trial.

The state, led by prosecutor Gerrie Nel, intends to prove otherwise.

It has been over a year since South African paralympian Oscar Pistorius shot and killed Reeva Steenkamp, his celebrity-model girlfriend, on Valentine’s Day, 2013. Pistorius, who claims he mistook Steenkamp for a burglar, is now being tried for murder.

New evidence brought forth in the trial from witnesses and forensic experts seems to suggest premeditation.

“I was still sitting in bed and I heard (Steenkamp’s) screams,” witness Michelle Burger, a neighbor of Pistorius, told the court. “She screamed terribly and yelled for help.

“Just after her screams, I heard four shots,” said Burger. “Four gunshots. Bang, bang, bang, bang.”

Ballistics expert Captain Christian Mangena outlined bullet holes through a bathroom door that corresponded with wounds on Steenkamp’s hip, hand and skull. While much of what he said did not contradict Pistorius’ testimony, Mangena claims that there had to have been a pause between the first and second shots.

“If it’s two double taps, then all the wounds would be in the same position,” said Mangena to the court. “There wouldn’t be any time for her to change position in that instance.”

If there was a pause, the prosecution argues, Steenkamp would have had time to scream. Naturally, this would have caused Pistorius to stop, but he did not.

Another piece of evidence revolves around Pistorius’ cricket bat. Pistorius claims that, after he realized Steenkamp was inside the bathroom, he grabbed his cricket bat in an attempt to break down the locked door.

Forensic analyst police Colonel Johannes Vermeulen suggests otherwise.

“The marks on the door are actually consistent with him not having his legs on,” Vermeulen told the court. “I suspect the marks must be similar to the height that he was when he fired the shots.”

Using this testimony, the prosecution argues that Pistorius hit the door with his bat before firing shots or wearing his prosthetic legs.

They believe that Pistorius lost his temper with Steenkamp due to a strained relationship, after which he caused Steenkamp to flee to the bathroom, hit the bathroom door with his cricket bat and finally shot and killed her.

Pistorius’ trial has been a hot topic amongst student discussions at Guilford College.

“My family in South Africa seems to be split on this controversial issue,” said second-year and former citizen of South Africa Byron Hamilton in an email interview. “Some believe he is completely guilty and deserves life in prison, and others sympathize with him.”

Another Guilford student who wished to remain anonymous weighed in on the issue.

“Pistorius seems to have an aggressive history and the ‘I’m invincible’ type of attitude,” said the student. “I wouldn’t be surprised if he is found guilty.”

“Personally, I think he’s guilty,” said Early College junior Neal Vaidya. “But at the same time, the media might have skewed my view of Pistorius. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.”

The defense, led by Barry Roux, was scheduled to begin on March 28 but was delayed.

The trial will resume on April 7, when one of two assessors, assistants who help the judge reach a verdict, return from hospitalization.