Jason Colton admits choking an Airbnb guest to death over an unpaid $210 bill as the victim pleaded for his life but says he's guilty of manslaughter, not murder.

Colton pleaded not guilty to the more serious charge in the Supreme Court on Monday, when prosecutors told a jury he knew his actions were likely to kill or seriously injure his victim.

Ramis Jonuzi, 33, was killed after a rental dispute in Brighton East.

Ramis Jonuzi had been renting a room in a house in Brighton East where Colton also lived in October 2017.

He first rented a room for three nights on Airbnb but agreed with head tenant Craig Levy that he'd stay another week for $210, sharing the leased house with Mr Levy, Colton and Ryan Smart.