A friend of Oscar Pistorius' testified Monday that the double-amputee runner was "torn apart" and frantically trying to save his girlfriend after he fired the shots that killed her last year.

Johan Stander was called to testify for the defense Monday. Stander was at Pistorius' house shortly after the early hours shooting Feb. 14, 2013. When Stander saw Pistorius that day he said he found him in a state of "pain."

"I saw the truth there that morning. I saw it, and I felt it," Stander testified, saying Pistorius was "really crying. He was in pain."

Stander was the fourth witness called to the stand by the defense in this lengthy trial that is entering its seventh week. The trial has been televised globally.

The defense team for Pistorius is trying to show the court that he acted in a state of panic, thinking there was an intruder in his apartment when he shot Reeva Steenkamp. Prosecutors are saying it was in fact on purpose and in response to an argument the couple were having.

Stander explained that Pistorius made a "committed" attempt to save Steenkamp's life as she was lying on the floor after the shots were fired. Stander's daughter also testified that she tried to stop the bleeding in Steenkamp's arm.

Stander explained what Pistorius was doing in Steenkamp's final moments.

"[He] was asking God to help him. He was torn apart, broken, desperate, pleading. It's difficult really to describe," Stander said.

Stander lived in the same gated community as Pistorius and said he has known him since 2009. He added that Pistorius called him shortly after 3:15 a.m. begging for him to come to his house.

Pistorius said to Stander, "Johan, please, please, please come to my house. Please. I shot Reeva. I thought she was an intruder. Please come quick," Stander told the court.

The prosecutor asked how close Stander was with Pistorius and if he was only just trying to help "assist the defense."

"I'm here to give the truth," Stander replied. "And I think I've given the truth. What I saw that morning."