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Murder charge formally laid against Daniel Christie's alleged attacker Daniel Christie's alleged attacker formally charged with murder
(33 minutes later)
A murder charge has been formally laid against Daniel Christie's alleged attacker, Shaun McNeil, in a Sydney court.A murder charge has been formally laid against Daniel Christie's alleged attacker, Shaun McNeil, in a Sydney court.
The self-proclaimed martial arts fighter and labourer did not appear in central local court on Tuesday, when the charge was laid in the wake of the 18-year-old's death at St Vincent's Hospital on Saturday.The self-proclaimed martial arts fighter and labourer did not appear in central local court on Tuesday, when the charge was laid in the wake of the 18-year-old's death at St Vincent's Hospital on Saturday.
McNeil's lawyer did not apply for bail on his behalf and it was formally refused.McNeil's lawyer did not apply for bail on his behalf and it was formally refused.
The 25-year-old is accused of felling Christie with a single punch in an unprovoked attack at Kings Cross on New Year's Eve.The 25-year-old is accused of felling Christie with a single punch in an unprovoked attack at Kings Cross on New Year's Eve.
He has also been charged with assaulting four other young men, including Christie's brother, Peter.He has also been charged with assaulting four other young men, including Christie's brother, Peter.
Christie's life support was turned off after he spent 11 days in a coma, with his family describing him as a "beacon of morality".Christie's life support was turned off after he spent 11 days in a coma, with his family describing him as a "beacon of morality".
"No family should be forced to deal with this situation, however we are not the first and we fear that we won't be the last," they said."No family should be forced to deal with this situation, however we are not the first and we fear that we won't be the last," they said.
Christie was attacked in almost the same place where 18-year-old Thomas Kelly was fatally punched in July 2012.Christie was attacked in almost the same place where 18-year-old Thomas Kelly was fatally punched in July 2012.
Both attacks have prompted growing calls for tougher sentencing for alcohol-related violence.Both attacks have prompted growing calls for tougher sentencing for alcohol-related violence.
According to facts previously tendered in court, McNeil had just left the Punchbowl bar in Kings Cross with his girlfriend about 9pm when he got into a verbal altercation with three young men.According to facts previously tendered in court, McNeil had just left the Punchbowl bar in Kings Cross with his girlfriend about 9pm when he got into a verbal altercation with three young men.
He allegedly struck all three before attacking Christie and his brother, Peter, when the other young men tried to hide behind them.He allegedly struck all three before attacking Christie and his brother, Peter, when the other young men tried to hide behind them.
McNeil allegedly boasted that he was a mixed martial arts fighter before punching Christie in the face as Christie shielded the others.McNeil allegedly boasted that he was a mixed martial arts fighter before punching Christie in the face as Christie shielded the others.
He also allegedly split Peter Christie's lip.He also allegedly split Peter Christie's lip.
McNeil told police that the first group of young men was trying to sell him drugs and he had acted to protect his girlfriend.McNeil told police that the first group of young men was trying to sell him drugs and he had acted to protect his girlfriend.
He was unable to explain his actions towards the Christies, the facts said.He was unable to explain his actions towards the Christies, the facts said.
He has previously faced court charged with assault occasioning grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and other assault charges.He has previously faced court charged with assault occasioning grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and other assault charges.
Magistrate Les Mabbutt adjourned the matter to 4 March.Magistrate Les Mabbutt adjourned the matter to 4 March.
The case of Nicholas Lambaditis, who is also charged with murdering a young man with a single punch during a night out, was briefly mentioned in the same court.The case of Nicholas Lambaditis, who is also charged with murdering a young man with a single punch during a night out, was briefly mentioned in the same court.
Lambaditis, 33, is charged with murdering Brazilian man Lucio Stein Rodrigues, who was attacked outside Scruffy Murphy’s bar in the city in November 2013.Lambaditis, 33, is charged with murdering Brazilian man Lucio Stein Rodrigues, who was attacked outside Scruffy Murphy’s bar in the city in November 2013.
His lawyer, Nick Boyden, said he was waiting on a post-mortem examination report before a decision would be made on whether Lambaditis would face a committal hearing.His lawyer, Nick Boyden, said he was waiting on a post-mortem examination report before a decision would be made on whether Lambaditis would face a committal hearing.
That case was also adjourned to 4 March.That case was also adjourned to 4 March.
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