The defense in the Oscar Pistorius murder trial opened with the celebrity defendant taking the stand in Pretoria, bypassing the court and onlookers and directly facing the mother of the woman he is accused of shooting and killing nearly 14 months ago.

Pistorius’ voice quivered as he apologized to June Steenkamp, mother of Reeva Steenkamp, for the death of her daughter. 

“I’d like to apologize and say that there’s not a moment and there hasn't been a moment since this tragedy happened that I haven't thought about your family.  I wake up every morning and you’re the first people I think of, the first people I pray for.  I can't imagine the pain and the sorrow and the emptiness that I've caused you and your family,” Pistorius said.

Pistorius does not deny shooting through a toilet door on Valentine’s Day last year and killing Reeva, but claims he mistook her for a burglar.  June Steenkamp appeared unmoved by the statement.

He went on to blame South Africa’s high crime rate for his actions, noting that his mother slept with a gun under her pillow, and he had several brushes with criminals through his life.