The Oscar Pistorius murder trial, which is being called the “trial of the century” in South Africa, began today with testimony from a neighbor of the Olympic track star.

The neighbor told the court she heard “bloodcurdling screams” followed by gunshots the night Pistorius shot and killed his girlfriend Reeva Steencamp, Reuters reports. The neighbor said she then heard a man screaming for help.

While today’s court proceedings may have seemed similar to how American courts work, there are significant differences between the South African and U.S. criminal justice systems. Here are five legal facts about the Oscar Pistorius trial that you may not have known:

The first phase of Oscar Pistorius’ trial is expected to last approximately three weeks, but it’s unclear how long it’ll take to complete the entire trial, reports CNN.

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Related Resources:

  • Pistorius trial: A look at main issues on 1st day (The Associated Press)
  • Premeditated Murder Charges Sought Against Oscar Pistorius (FindLaw’s Tarnished Twenty)
  • ‘Blade Runner’ Oscar Pistorius Charged in Girlfriend’s Murder (FindLaw’s Tarnished Twenty)
  • Aaron Hernandez Indicted for 1st Degree Murder (FindLaw’s Tarnished Twenty)

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