The homeless man found dead in an Auckland park and carried to hospital by his friend had allegedly been earlier drinking with the man charged with his death.
At the Auckland High Court this morning Darrell Edward James Dunn, 48, plead not guilty to the manslaughter of Teina Wharawhara, 42.
The Crown alleges Dunn and Wharawhara were drinking heavily in Outhwaite Park, Grafton, on November 10, 2015, when they began arguing.
In opening statements prosecutor Jo Murdoch told the jury Dunn became irritated with the deceased over a cellphone and told him to "stop moaning".
"He punched Mr Wharawhara multiple times around the head and he fell to the ground."