Intro:

The defence has opened its case in the murder trial of Oscar Pistorius.

The first witness was pathologist Jan Botha with the Olympian himself set to take the stand next.

Script:

The defence in the Oscar Pistorius murder trial opens its case.

Calling pathologist Professor Jan Botha in an effort to cast doubt on the prosecution's assertion that girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp ate no more than two hours before the double-amputee runner killed her.

The testimony may be critical to the defence because Pistorius claims the couple were in his bedroom by 10 pm on February 13th last year.

Any indication they were awake much later could undermine the Olympian's account of events.

Pistorius fatally shot Steenkamp after 3 am the next morning, Valentine's Day, saying he mistook her for an intruder.

The prosecution alleges that he intentionally killed her following an argument.

UPSOUND: (English) Professor Jan Botha, pathologist:

"I think in all probability, the first shot.... that struck the deceased was the one over the right hip. I believe that she was standing, with her body slightly flexed forward, hence the eccentric.... colour of abrasion around the entry wound over the right hip, and that she was also fairly close to the door. This would account for the splinter injuries on the dorsal surface of the right arm and I think there were also one or two small punctate wounds around the entry wound."

Pistorius has been charged with premeditated murder and faces 25 years to life in prison if convicted.