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Daniel Christie has died, family of king-hit victim announce Daniel Christie has died, family of king-hit victim announce
(about 3 hours later)
The Sydney teenager Daniel Christie has died less than two weeks after being punched to the ground on New Year's Eve.The Sydney teenager Daniel Christie has died less than two weeks after being punched to the ground on New Year's Eve.
Christie's family said he died on Saturday morning at St Vincent's hospital in Sydney.Christie's family said he died on Saturday morning at St Vincent's hospital in Sydney.
"While no words can describe how crushed we are, Daniel fought courageously over the past 11 days which allowed everyone to say their farewells," the family said in a statement."While no words can describe how crushed we are, Daniel fought courageously over the past 11 days which allowed everyone to say their farewells," the family said in a statement.
"It has also given us all strength and tightened even further the bond our family share.""It has also given us all strength and tightened even further the bond our family share."
The 18-year-old was left in a critical condition after being punched in Kings Cross on New Year's Eve.The 18-year-old was left in a critical condition after being punched in Kings Cross on New Year's Eve.
His alleged attacker, Shaun McNeil, has been charged with causing grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and three counts of common assault.His alleged attacker, Shaun McNeil, has been charged with causing grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and three counts of common assault.
Police allege McNeil, 25, struck three young men before targeting Christie and his brother, Peter, when the other young men tried to hide behind them.Police allege McNeil, 25, struck three young men before targeting Christie and his brother, Peter, when the other young men tried to hide behind them.
McNeil, a labourer, allegedly boasted he was a mixed martial arts fighter before punching Christie in the face as he shielded the other young men.McNeil, a labourer, allegedly boasted he was a mixed martial arts fighter before punching Christie in the face as he shielded the other young men.
Through his lawyer, McNeil has previously told a court that the first group of young men was trying to sell him drugs and he acted to protect his girlfriend who was with him at the time.Through his lawyer, McNeil has previously told a court that the first group of young men was trying to sell him drugs and he acted to protect his girlfriend who was with him at the time.
He was unable to explain his actions towards the Christies, police facts previously tendered in court said.He was unable to explain his actions towards the Christies, police facts previously tendered in court said.
A court has previously heard that doctors believed Christie would probably have suffered a serious brain injury had he survived the attack.A court has previously heard that doctors believed Christie would probably have suffered a serious brain injury had he survived the attack.
Police have said they expect further charges to be laid against McNeil, who is next expected to appear in court in March.Police have said they expect further charges to be laid against McNeil, who is next expected to appear in court in March.
Describing their son as a beacon of morality, the Christie family said they wanted to see "coward punches" become a thing of the past.Describing their son as a beacon of morality, the Christie family said they wanted to see "coward punches" become a thing of the past.
"People have the right to go out without experiencing mindless violence," they said in their statement."People have the right to go out without experiencing mindless violence," they said in their statement.
"Therefore, if you are going for a night out, please honour Daniel's memory by thinking before you drink."Therefore, if you are going for a night out, please honour Daniel's memory by thinking before you drink.
"Make sure your mates don't get carried away and do anything they'll later regret.""Make sure your mates don't get carried away and do anything they'll later regret."
Daniel Christie's organs will be donated. "Although we are absolutely devastated at the tragic loss of our Daniel, we believe by sharing such a special gift with those in need, he is well and truly living on," the family said.Daniel Christie's organs will be donated. "Although we are absolutely devastated at the tragic loss of our Daniel, we believe by sharing such a special gift with those in need, he is well and truly living on," the family said.
Christie's death comes 18 months after 18-year-old Thomas Kelly died after being hit with a single punch in Kings Cross in July 2012.Christie's death comes 18 months after 18-year-old Thomas Kelly died after being hit with a single punch in Kings Cross in July 2012.
It is alleged that Christie was hit just metres from where the attack on Kelly took place.It is alleged that Christie was hit just metres from where the attack on Kelly took place.
Since Christie was taken to hospital there has been increased pressure on the New South Wales government to tackle alcohol-related violence on the late-night strip and introduce tougher sentencing for perpetrators.Since Christie was taken to hospital there has been increased pressure on the New South Wales government to tackle alcohol-related violence on the late-night strip and introduce tougher sentencing for perpetrators.
In November Kelly's parents, Ralph and Kathy, started a petition calling for drunkenness to be compulsorily taken into account in sentencing by the courts.In November Kelly's parents, Ralph and Kathy, started a petition calling for drunkenness to be compulsorily taken into account in sentencing by the courts.
The petition, started in November, was at about 25,000 signatures before New Year's Eve.The petition, started in November, was at about 25,000 signatures before New Year's Eve.
But following the alleged assault on Christie that surged to more than 124,000.But following the alleged assault on Christie that surged to more than 124,000.
The New South Wales attorney-general, Greg Smith, said he had asked authorities to assess whether murder charges could be laid in the case in light of Christie's death. Smith said has asked the acting director of public prosecutions "to closely examine this case with a view to determining if murder charges are appropriate in light of the evidence, and in light of the alleged offender's reported martial arts experience".
"Daniel Christie's death is a senseless tragedy which will rightly outrage and sadden everyone in New South Wales. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this difficult time.
"I cannot imagine their pain and anguish, their despair and devastation and I am humbled by their dignity and the generous gesture of donating Daniel's organs."
Police expect further charges to be laid when Christie's alleged attacker next appears in court in March.
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