A man charged in a killing near a Kamloops night club was acting to protect his girlfriend, according to his lawyer.

The defense and Crown gave closing arguments to the jury today in the trial for James Bond, who is charged with manslaughter in connection to the death of Sean Dunn on Dec. 30, 2016.

Bond and Dunn had met that night at the The Duchess night club and not long after leaving in a group of people, Dunn was found dead a block away from the establishment, on Wood Street.

Bond’s lawyer, Don Campbell, told the jury that Dunn had been harassing Bond’s girlfriend while inside the nightclub. He says Bond punching Dunn resulted in his death, but says Bond’s violence was a last resort and a way to protect his girlfriend from being sexually assault, saying Bond “was pushed beyond his limit by Mr. Dunn.”

During opening remarks, Crown prosecutor Oliver Potestio had said that Bond acted out of jealousy when Dunn was making gestures to his girlfriend.

Campbell says the jury will have to decide whether Bond was justified in using the force he did in protection of his girlfriend, noting Dunn died after Bond “dropped him” with a punch. Campbell says the other question for the jury to answer is whether Bond’s actions prevented sexual assault.

Bond was initially charged in June of 2017 and was released on bail after his arrest.

The jury in the trial is expected to begin deliberations this afternoon after closing arguments from the Crown conclude.