Bank worker Kyle Zandipour has appeared in court charged with the murder of 21-year-old university student Joshua Hardy.
His lawyer, George Defteros, told the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Sunday morning Mr Zandipour had handed himself in to the homicide squad and has given his version of the events to police.
Victim Joshua Hardy.
Mr Defteros said it was the first time his client had found himself in such difficult circumstances.
Mr Zandipour, who works for ANZ, was supported in court by two women, believed to be his mother and fiancee. Both refused to comment as they left the building.
Mr Zandipour was remanded in custody and is expected to appear in court for a filing hearing on October 24.
He is also expected to apply for bail at a later date.
Mr Hardy, a 21-year-old university student, died after being attacked outside a McDonald's restaurant on St Kilda Road on Friday night.
The attack left him unconscious. He was taken to The Alfred hospital but died about 2am.
Friends have spoken in glowing terms about Mr Hardy, who was in his third year of an arts degree at the University of Melbourne, having completed VCE at Melbourne Grammar in South Yarra.
Originally from Darwin, Mr Hardy lived on campus at Trinity College in Parkville and was at university on a scholarship.
He was described as a leader who went out of his way to help other students.
Mr Hardy's sister was believed to have been among Trinity students who gathered at the college to mourn yesterday.
Tributes from shocked friends and loved ones were posted on his Facebook page.
Tributes at the site of the attack included a handwritten note that read: "Return to Dreaming, you are at peace".
Friend Louis Egger said Mr Hardy was widely respected for his kindness and willingness to help others.
"He was always smiling, always cracking jokes, everyone knew Joshua Hardy," he said.
"He helped me out when I was at risk of dropping out of uni and he's been a real help to a lot of our young indigenous fellas coming to uni."
Trinity College and Melbourne University released a statement that said: "Joshua came to Trinity in 2012 and soon became loved by all for his prowess on the footy field, his mentoring skills and his community-mindedness.
"Josh was a wonderful student and brother whose sudden passing is a tremendous shock."
A second man questioned in relation to the attack had provided a statement and would not face any charges, a Victoria Police spokeswoman said on Sunday.