Lawyers made their opening remarks Tuesday in the trial of four Toronto police officers charged in the death of Otto Vass.

The 55-year-old man died after a confrontation with police outside a 7-11 store three years ago.

All four of the officers have pleaded not guilty to manslaughter.

Crown prosecutor Desmond McGarry said he will prove that the four police officers beat Otto Vass and that lead to his death.

Defence lawyer Earl Levy said his team will show that Vass didn't die because of a beating, but because of a battle.

Security cameras show Vass willingly left the store accompanied by Constables Robert LeMaitre and Phillip Duncan, McGarry said in his remarks to the jury.

But 11 minutes later Vass was dead because of an embolism that was released into his bloodstream as a result of his injuries.

Levy told the jury his team will show that Vass was an extremely violent and dangerous man who had a 35-year history of mental illness.

Throughout his life Vass refused to take medication for schizophrenia and manic depression, Levy said.

This caused Vass to suffer delusions and paranoia.

Vass was convicted of arson in the early 1980s after dousing his apartment building with gasoline and setting it on fire. At the time of the fire four tenants including an elderly woman and a 16-month-old baby were locked inside.

Levy also listed dozens of occasions when Vass was forcefully hospitalized after breaking furniture, windows and assaulting family and strangers.

After Vass walked out of the 7-11, he unexpectedly punched constable LeMaitre, Levy said.

LeMaitre immediately called for backup and a struggle ensued.