The man who was accused of killing a promising young hockey player in a Bloor Street West alleyway in 2006 was found guilty of manslaughter.
Nicholas Crowdis, 24, was charged with second-degree murder but the jury found him guilty of the lesser charge on Thursday.
Crowdis argued his actions the night of November 25 were in self defence.
Michael Serba was with his friends at a bar on Bloor Street West when he went outside to use an ATM machine. While he was using the machine, the 25-year-old was "sucker punched," the trial heard.
Serba's friends testified they followed him out of the bar. Serba got into a confrontation with Crowdis in an alleyway near the Jane Street subway station. That's when Crowdis hit the young man in the head with a brick and then kicked him in the face, the trial heard.
Serba was in a coma for days because of massive head injuries. He died on November 28.
Crowdis, who took the stand in his own defence, told the court that he picked up the brick because he was afraid Serba and his friends would attack him.
"If it were one on one it would definitely be so but 10 seconds following behind the deceased is four of his friends. They had been drinking all night, testosterone was flowing and I think it was right for my client to fear at least being seriously injured as a result," said defence attorney David O'Connor. "He hadn't done anything wrong."
Court also heard that it was Crowdis' friend who punched Serba at the ATM machine.
Crowdis has been in jail for the past two years. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for January 12.
His godfather Bruce Lovett said Crowdis is a "good kid."
"It certainly was never murder, it was a set of unfortunate circumstances," he said. "Nicholas is an incredibly good kid. He would never hurt anybody."
