PRETORIA, South Africa (AP) — The murder trial of Oscar Pistorius has been delayed until April 7 because one of the legal experts who will assist the judge in reaching a verdict is sick, abruptly ending expectations Friday that the double-amputee athlete was about to testify on his fatal shooting of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

Judge Thokozile Masipa announced the delay in court on the day Pistorius’ defense lawyers were due to begin presenting their case after four weeks of prosecution-led testimony and a two-day adjournment.