Pistorius was in 'broken, desperate' state after shooting, says neighbour

The Oscar Pistorius murder trial has resumed after a two-week break, with the defence calling its fourth witness in a bid to bolster the double-amputee athlete's case that he killed his girlfriend by mistake.

The trial moved into its seventh week with evidence from Johan Stander, the first person Pistorius says he phoned after he shot Reeva Steenkamp at his home in the early hours of February 14, 2013.

Mr Stander lived at the same gated community as Pistorius. Pistorius has said that Mr Stander and his daughter were the first people to arrive on the scene after the shooting.

Mr Stander's testimony follows a difficult start by Pistorius' defence, where the Olympian's story of an accidental killing came under scrutiny as he was cross-examined by the chief prosecutor.

Two defence experts also had their evidence questioned by prosecutor Gerrie Nel at the start of the defence's case.

Pistorius is charged with premeditated murder for shooting Ms Steenkamp through a toilet stall door in his bathroom before dawn on Valentine's Day last year.

He claims he mistook his girlfriend for a dangerous intruder. The prosecution charges he killed her intentionally after an argument.

The 27-year-old, a multiple Paralympic champion and the first amputee to run at the Olympics, faces 25 years to life in prison if convicted on the premeditated murder charge.

Mr Stander said that he had known Pistorius since 2009 after moving into the same gated community in the South African capital, Pretoria.

He said he received a panicked phone call from the world-famous runner at around 3.18 am on the night of the fatal shooting.

"He (Pistorius) said on the call: 'Johan, please, please, please come to my house. Please. I shot Reeva'," Mr Stander said.

Mr Stander said Pistorius told him on the call: "I thought she was an intruder. Please come quick."

Mr Stander then described what he said was Pistorius' "broken" state after he arrived at the runner's house to find him carrying his girlfriend downstairs.

"It's not something I would like to experience again, my lady," Mr Stander said, addressing the judge who will deliver a verdict in the trial.

"Because that young man walking down the stairs with the lady, with a young woman. His face. The expression of pain, the expression of sorrow. And he's crying."

Mr Stander said Pistorius was "torn apart, broken, desperate".