Oscar Pistorius will begin his murder trial this week and the former Olympic track star is maintaining his innocence.

Pistorius admitted to shooting his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, at his home on Valentine's Day in 2013, but he says he did so because he thought an intruder was in the bathroom area. He ended up killing his girlfriend and was charged with murder.

The track star had his attorney read an affidavit in a Pretoria court last February.

"I fail to understand how I could be charged with murder, let alone premeditated murder, as I had no intention to kill my girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp," he said.

Pistorius continued to cite South Africa's history of violent crime as justification for his actions.

"I am acutely aware of violent crime being committed by intruders entering homes with a view to commit crime, including violent crime. I have received death threats before. I have also been a victim of violence and of burglaries before. For that reason I kept my firearm, a 9mm Parabellum, underneath my bed when I went to bed at night.

Pistorius's trial has brought hundreds of members of the media from around the world to South Africa. He is currently out on bail and has only been spotted on a few occasions.

"I will stand my trial ... I trust the South African legal system and that the facts will show that I did not murder Reeva."

No matter what happens, Pistorius's reputation will never be the same again. Just a little over a year ago he was a national icon in South Africa, and now he's about to start a murder trial.

What do you think about this trial? Do you think Pistorius is innocent or should he be found guilty of the charges? Let us know what you think in the comments section down below.