Mr Marshall, 21, died at the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne on May 16, last year - six days after he was assaulted in central Ballarat.

Digby Gram, 20, has pleaded not guilty to one count of manslaughter.

Police allege Gram punched Mr Marshall once in the face, causing him to fall and hit his head, in Police Lane, Ballarat, in the early hours of May 10.

Mr Marshall and a friend had approached Gram after seeing him lying on the ground and hitting his head against a pole.

Magistrate Kay Robertson today said there was sufficient evidence for the case to go to trial.

Gram was released on bail to reappear at the Supreme Court at Melbourne for a directions hearing on March 31.