NSW prosecutors consider murder charge after Daniel Christie dies in Sydney hospital

Updated

New South Wales prosecutors are considering laying murder charges following the death of teenager Daniel Christie, who died after being punched on New Year's Eve.

The 18-year-old passed away yesterday after his family decided to switch off his life support.

Christie had been in a critical condition for 11 days after he was assaulted during a night out in Sydney's Kings Cross on December 31.

Builder Shaun McNeil, 25, is accused of carrying out the attack on Christie.

He has been charged with three counts of common assault, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and assault occasioning grievous bodily harm.

Police are expecting to lay more charges against him when he next faces court on March 4.

Attorney-General Greg Smith has urged the state's Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to upgrade the charges against McNeil.

"I think the community is generally appalled by the type of incident that led to the death," Mr Smith said.

"I've asked the DPP to consider very carefully the laying of a murder charge in relation to this case.

"As it appears from at least media reports that the assailant was a mixed martial arts expert or claimed to be so, which may put this in a different dimension."

The attack on Christie has reignited calls for the Government to implement measures aimed at curbing alcohol-fuelled violence.

Your say: Clearly alcohol exacerbates the situation, but the real problem is the breakdown in social respect and responsibility where severe aggression is becoming the norm... leduc, via comment

Mr Smith says the Government is considering a series of proposals to deter violence in and around the state's licensed premises.

"The Government doesn't ignore any of such calls, the Government is very concerned about what's been going on," he said.

"The Government wants to discourage this yobbo activity and it will get together soon again to consider further proposals in relation to many aspects of these problems."

Opposition want restrictions on alcohol sales, trading hours

However, acting opposition leader Linda Burney says the Government had shown no sign of action and demanded a restriction on alcohol sales and late-night trading hours.

"The notion that this boy's life, which was so cruelly and senselessly taken will mean nothing in terms of change around the availability of alcohol, it's just not, it's just not acceptable," Ms Burney said.

"There are very close connections between the O'Farrell Government and senior people within the liquor lobby and there has been a deafening silence in terms of the O'Farrell Government making any sounds, any moves to limit the availability of alcohol.

"And one can only draw the conclusion that there is enormous influence by the liquor lobby in that respect.

We would like 'coward punches' to be a thing of the past. People have the right to go out without experiencing mindless violence. Christie family statement

"The family has said that they don't want Daniel's death to be in vain and it's up to us as political leaders and the community to take that on and to double and redouble our efforts in terms of dealing with this issue."

Mr O'Farrell has previously said that restrictions on trading hours would have done nothing for Christie, who was attacked around 9.00pm.

Christie family call for 'positive change'

During the 18-year-old's fight for life, the Christie family spoke out against the use of the term "king hit" when referring to assaults, saying "coward punch" is more appropriate.

The Christie family say they do not want Daniel's death to be in vain and have committed themselves "to rallying for change".

"A positive change needs to come from such a negative situation," they said in an emotional statement.

"We would like 'coward punches' to be a thing of the past. People have the right to go out without experiencing mindless violence."

The family also revealed they have donated Christie's organs to "honour his spirit".

"We believe there is no better way of honouring Daniel's generous and giving spirit than by donating his organs," the statement said.

"Unfortunately there’s nothing we can do to help Daniel’s situation, but we are comforted knowing that we can help others."

Topics: death, community-and-society, murder-and-manslaughter, crime, law-crime-and-justice, assault, alcohol, drug-use, health, states-and-territories, government-and-politics, sydney-2000, nsw, australia

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