Did Oscar Pistorius shoot his girlfriend intentionally or out of fear of an intruder?

This is the question that has yet to be determined by South African courts as the world spotlight continues to shine on the former Olympic track star who admitted to carrying out the fatal shooting of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, on Feb. 14, 2013.

Pistorius was very emotional when he took the stand, and according to ESPN, it was so difficult for him to talk about it that the judge had to ask him to speak up.

Monday's events marked a key time in the murder trial, not only because Pistorius took the stand, but also because he spoke directly to Steenkamp's mother. According to the Associated Press, Steenkamp's mother looked at Pistorius "stone-faced" as he spoke to the court.

"There hasn't been a moment since this tragedy happened that I haven't thought about your family," Pistorius said to Steenkamp's family. "I wake up every morning, and you're the first people I think of, the first people I pray for ... I was simply trying to protect Reeva. I can promise that when she went to bed that night she felt loved."

Pistorius has admitted to the fatal shooting of his girlfriend and says it was unintentional -- that he reacted out of fear of an intruder. Regardless of what he says, Pistorius has faced a great deal of criticism from people in South Africa who have completely changed their views on him. He went from being a national icon to facing a potential life sentence behind bars.

If convicted, Pistorius faces 25 years to life in prison. Unlike in the United States, South Africa does not have a jury system and the judge will be the one who decides the fate of the former track star.