A SUPREME Court jury has retired to decide whether a Wycheproof man accused of punching and killing another man is guilty of manslaughter.
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Dane Edward McLennan, 28, has been on trial in the Supreme Court after pleading not guilty to causing the death of 56-year-old John Durie.
The court heard on August 30, 2019, Mr McLennan and Mr Durie were at a Wycheproof golf club after attending a day-long tournament.
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The pair were playing a game of pool that evening when, in the context of "mucking around", Mr Durie either kicked or punched Mr McLennan in the stomach or groin area.
The prosecution alleged Mr McLennan was embarrassed and then angry, so he lashed out at Mr Durie and punched him in the head.
The court heard Mr Durie immediately collapsed and did not regain consciousness. He later died at the scene despite efforts at CPR.
Defence counsel Geoffrey Steward told the court Mr McLennan did not cause Mr Durie's death.
Mr Steward said it was possible that it was a burst aneurysm rather than a punch to the head that resulted in the fatal brain haemorrhage.
The defence counsel also submitted that Mr McLennan was acting in self-defence after Mr Durie "upped the anti" during their bout of horseplay.
Prosecutor Patrick Bourke QC said it was the Crown's case that Mr McLennan punched Mr Durie to the head, causing the haemorrhage that later killed Mr Durie.
The Supreme Court jury retired on Friday morning after hearing Justice Lesley Taylor's closing instructions.
The jury is due to return a verdict next week.
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