South African sprinter and fallen global hero Oscar Pistorius was formally indicted early Monday on charges of murder and illegal possession of ammunition.
He was charged in the fatal shooting of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, in the early hours of Valentine's Day. Pistorius has pleaded not guilty.
The man known as the "Blade Runner," due to the blade-shaped prostheses he wears in competitions, was informed that his trial would begin March 3.
Because South Africa does not hold trials by jury, a judge will preside over the trial and will render a verdict in the 26-year-old's stunning case.
Pistorius says he mistook his his girlfriend of several months, Steenkamp, for an intruder and shot her through a locked door the night of the murder.
But prosecutors allege the shooting was premeditated, which carries a sentence of life imprisonment with a minimum service time of 25 years.
Pistorius' lawyers want the charge reduced to culpable homicide, while continuing to insist that the killing was an accident and he will go free.
Prosecutors claim Pistorius murdered Reeva Steenkamp after the two argued, and presented a list of over 100 witnesses in addition to the indictment.
Pistorius, who was seen silently praying, crying and holding hands with his siblings before the start of the hearing, was granted bail at an earlier hearing.
The sprinter's travel restrictions, a condition of his bail, were eased. He is allowed to leave South Africa to compete as long as he complies with certain conditions.
Pistorius made sports history in 2012 by becoming the first double amputee to compete against able-bodied opponents at the London Olympics.
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