The jury of five women and seven men came back with their verdict early yesterday afternoon in the trial of Christopher Docking, 41, who had pleaded not guilty.

It had retired the previous day to consider its verdict in the case.

The jury had been told during a trial before Justice Lex Lasry that Docking wanted to go and “give a bloke a clip” before the fatal bashing of Michael Miller.

Mr Miller, 29, died after being punched several times to the head in his McLeod Street, Yarrawonga, unit on May 8 last year.

Docking had bloody and swollen hands after the fatal bashing of Mr Miller and said: “I went around and gave it to him”.

He had gone to Mr Miller’s unit about 2am on May 8.

Mr Miller was treated at the Yarrawonga hospital with pain relief and a sedative because of his agitated state.

His condition deteriorated significantly and despite emergency treatment at Wangaratta and eventually Melbourne, he died the following day.

Mr Miller complained about severe pain in his temples while at the Yarrawonga hospital.

He was admitted for observation, but later became unresponsive and was intubated to assist his breathing before being taken to Wangaratta.

Barrister Stratton Langs­low argued Mr Miller’s death was the result of medical “mishandling”.

He also claimed that Docking had acted in self-defence in his altercation with Mr Miller.