The third phase of recording of statements in the trial of murder case of Itishree Pradhan, a teacher at the Tikri Primary School in the district, began at the Rayagada District and Sessions Court on Wednesday with two out of three scheduled witnesses recording their statements on the first day. The two witnesses who recorded their statements were Puspanjali Panda, an assistant teacher of Tikri School and Rayagada SDPO Y Jagannath Rao. The third witness, the doctor who treated Itishree at the Tikri PHC, could not come to the court. The recording of his statement has been rescheduled to February 6. It may be noted that, the Supreme Court had directed the CBI on January 20 to probe the gruesome murder.