The defence lawyer in the murder trial of a 30-year-old man admitted his client is guilty of manslaughter in the death of a Vancouver artist, but said the shooting doesn't amount to murder.

Lee Matasi was shot on Richards Street in downtown Vancouver on Dec. 3, 2005.
(CBC)

Both the prosecution and defence made their closing submissions Monday afternoon in a Vancouver provincial court in the trial of Dennis White, who is charged with second-degree murder in the death of Lee Matasi. The artist was shot outside a Vancouver nightclub on Dec. 3, 2005.

Defence lawyer Terry La Liberté told the jury Matasi's death was "senseless, ridiculous and criminal" and said he is not trying to excuse what his client did.

"We're not in any way trying to excuse what Dennis White did and he'll have to pay for it," he said.

But the lawyer said the Crown has failed to prove that White intended to kill Matasi.

Dennis Robert White, 30, is charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of Lee Matasi, 23.
(CBC)

"It ended in a struggle and a young man died," La Liberté said. "But the Crown has not proved beyond a reasonable doubt the intent here … What you'll find here is manslaughter and not murder."

La Liberté also said the Crown's case relies heavily on the account of one witness — Red Room nightclub owner Dale McRitchie — who testified he saw White holding Matasi by the collar and heard a shot, then he saw Matasi fall back.

He said McRitchie was wrong about a number of things, including the description of the gun and the clothing White was wearing, and that his testimony contradicted that of other witnesses who saw White and Matasi locked in a struggle.

Crown lawyer Greg Weber told the jury White was carrying a gun to gain respect on the street and that he shot Matasi deliberately after the artist challenged him.
 
The trial, which was expected to last for three weeks, has finished hearing evidence after just six days.

The jury is expected to begin deliberations on Wednesday after receiving instructions from the judge.