A teenager who stabbed an unarmed Melbourne man to death in an attack described as a "wildly disproportionate reaction" will likely serve out his sentence at a youth justice centre.
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Lindim Aliti, 19, on Wednesday faced the Victorian Supreme Court after pleading guilty to the manslaughter of 20-year-old Thomas Tran in a fight at Oakleigh in June last year.
Justice Michael Croucher said Mr Tran was unarmed and non-threatening when he was killed.
"I think (Aliti) was frightened in those circumstances, but his reaction was a gross and violent and destructive and wildly disproportionate reaction that's seen a 20-year-old lose his life," Justice Croucher told the court.
Aliti was expected to be sentenced on Wednesday but Justice Croucher said he needed more time to consider the case.
He gave no sentencing indication but said he would recommend the 19-year-old serve out his sentence in a youth justice centre.
"I'm deciding a young man's fate for a long time," Justice Croucher said.
Prosecutors earlier said Mr Tran was stabbed from behind multiple times, including in the heart, during the brawl involving about 20 young men.
Aliti was summoned to the incident via Snapchat and had a knife. His friends were accused of helping him flee and destroying his phone's SIM card.
He was granted bail in September 2020 last year after Robert Richter QC argued the teen was at risk of dying in custody because he was prone to epileptic fits in his sleep.
Mr Richter also argued there was no evidence to show Aliti was a gang member or participated in any gang activities.
The barrister said Aliti had gone to sit in front of a police station for a few minutes after the fight.
The teen was bailed on a $600,000 surety offered against his family's house.
Aliti remains on bail and is expected to be sentenced by Justice Croucher on Monday.
Australian Associated Press
