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Cole Miller dies in Brisbane hospital after alleged one-punch attack Cole Miller dies in Brisbane hospital after alleged one-punch attack
(35 minutes later)
The father of a Brisbane teenager who died after an alleged one-punch assault during a night out has described his son as “a beautiful, brave young man with his whole life yet to be lived”. Two men accused of an unprovoked attack on Brisbane teenager Cole Miller have had their charges upgraded after his death from head injuries.
Cole Miller, 18, died in a Brisbane hospital on Monday from what his father Steven described as “massive brain trauma”. The pair now face a minimum 15-year jail term if convicted and imprisoned for unlawful striking causing death in what police allege was a single punch to Miller’s head in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Miller’s death came the same morning his alleged assailants – one of whom is accused of punching him in the back of the head in Fortitude Valley on Sunday morning – appeared in court on charges of grievous bodily harm. Miller’s father earlier described his son as “a beautiful, brave young man with his whole life yet to be lived” and said the 18-year-old died in a Brisbane hospital on Monday from “massive brain trauma”.
Miller’s death came the same morning his alleged assailants first appeared in Brisbane magistrates court on charges of grievous bodily harm.
Daniel Jermaine Lee Maxwell and Armstrong Renata, both 21, who were remanded in custody after appearing in court, are due to appear again on the new charges on Tuesday.
Related: NSW introduces mandatory minimum sentencing bill for one-punch assaultsRelated: NSW introduces mandatory minimum sentencing bill for one-punch assaults
Acting Inspector Thomas Armitt said police were considering whether to upgrade the charges against the two men to manslaughter, murder or the new charge of unlawful striking causing death. Acting Inspector Thomas Armitt said the tragedy was a “stark reminder” of why the public awareness campaign “one-punch can kill” existed.
Armitt said the tragedy was a “stark reminder” of why the public awareness campaign “one-punch can kill” existed.
Steven Miller, in an emotional public statement just hours after his son’s death, said the 18-year-old had “struggled bravely” in the intensive care unit of the Royal Brisbane and Women’s hospital with loved ones at his bedside.Steven Miller, in an emotional public statement just hours after his son’s death, said the 18-year-old had “struggled bravely” in the intensive care unit of the Royal Brisbane and Women’s hospital with loved ones at his bedside.
He thanked the public for inundating the family with “messages of love and hope”.He thanked the public for inundating the family with “messages of love and hope”.
“Cole was a beautiful, brave young man with his whole life yet to be lived,” he said.“Cole was a beautiful, brave young man with his whole life yet to be lived,” he said.
Miller, an elite youth water polo player and younger brother of Olympian Billy Miller, was allegedly the victim of an unprovoked assault while walking to a taxi rank through the Chinatown mall about 3.30am on Sunday.Miller, an elite youth water polo player and younger brother of Olympian Billy Miller, was allegedly the victim of an unprovoked assault while walking to a taxi rank through the Chinatown mall about 3.30am on Sunday.
Armitt said two men in a group of four who allegedly approached Miller at random before the alleged assault would be the only people charged.Armitt said two men in a group of four who allegedly approached Miller at random before the alleged assault would be the only people charged.
The unlawful striking charge, introduced by the former Newman government in response to campaigns against alcohol-fuelled violence, carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and a minimum non-parole period of 15 years.The unlawful striking charge, introduced by the former Newman government in response to campaigns against alcohol-fuelled violence, carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and a minimum non-parole period of 15 years.
It applies to offenders who cause the death of someone after striking them to the head or neck. It applies to offenders who cause the death of someone after striking them to the head or neck and precludes accidental death as a defence.
Daniel Jermaine Lee Maxwell and Armstrong Renata, both 21, were remanded in custody after appearing in the Brisbane magistrates court.
The court heard that police alleged Maxwell approached Miller and a friend and asked “if they wanted to fight”.The court heard that police alleged Maxwell approached Miller and a friend and asked “if they wanted to fight”.
Police alleged Maxwell threw a punch at both before Renata threw a blow that led to Miller falling to the ground.Police alleged Maxwell threw a punch at both before Renata threw a blow that led to Miller falling to the ground.
Maxwell and Renata are due to appear again in court on 8 February.
The incident is likely to fan further public debate around the Queensland government’s bid to introduce lockout laws restricting trading in licensed venues after 1am.The incident is likely to fan further public debate around the Queensland government’s bid to introduce lockout laws restricting trading in licensed venues after 1am.
The government, which wants to introduce the laws to curb alcohol-fuelled violence, has faced strong resistance from the hotels lobby and music industry figures.The government, which wants to introduce the laws to curb alcohol-fuelled violence, has faced strong resistance from the hotels lobby and music industry figures.
Queensland sports minister Curtis Pitt issued a statement expressing condolences to Miller’s family, describing the 18-year-old as a “rising star” of his sport who had “a very bright future ahead of him”. Queensland sports minister, Curtis Pitt, issued a statement expressing condolences to Miller’s family, describing the 18-year-old as a “rising star” of his sport who had “a very bright future ahead of him”.
Miller was recently awarded a scholarship to the elite Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) and competed last week in a world club water polo competition in Sydney.Miller was recently awarded a scholarship to the elite Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) and competed last week in a world club water polo competition in Sydney.
“This is such a tragic loss for Mr Miller’s family and friends and for his peers at the QAS,” Pitt said.“This is such a tragic loss for Mr Miller’s family and friends and for his peers at the QAS,” Pitt said.
QAS executive director Bennett King said Miller was a “great friend to many” in the sport. QAS executive director, Bennett King, said Miller was a “great friend to many” in the sport.
“On behalf of the QAS, our thoughts are with Cole’s family and friends as they come to terms with this tragic loss,” King said.“On behalf of the QAS, our thoughts are with Cole’s family and friends as they come to terms with this tragic loss,” King said.
“Cole idolised his big brother Billy, also an athlete here with us at QAS, and it was always nice to see them encouraging each other to be the best they possibly could.“Cole idolised his big brother Billy, also an athlete here with us at QAS, and it was always nice to see them encouraging each other to be the best they possibly could.
“We will do our very best to support Billy and his family during this very difficult time.”“We will do our very best to support Billy and his family during this very difficult time.”