Phillip Edwards, the man accused of murdering interior designer David McNee, says his frenzied attack – described as so vicious that McNee's blood splattered the bedroom ceiling – was sparked by McNee's homosexual advances. "The reason he attacked him is because of what the deceased did," said defence counsel Roy Wade, urging the jury to keep an open mind. "The defence says `guilty' is the proper verdict, but for manslaughter not murder." Prosecutor Aaron Perkins said Edwards met McNee in Karangahape Rd, saw his flash Audi sportscar and decided to rob him. When the two reached Mr McNee's home that Sunday night, Edwards punched the 55-year-old about the head and face till he lost consciousness. It would have taken Mr McNee between 15 minutes and an hour to die from inhaling blood and vomit.