It is so sad that this is happening so frequently! Innocent victims getting killed! The same thing happened in 2012, the victim died and the person who hit only got a prison sentence of 4 years. This needs to be so much longer.
Sourced and quoted from the Daily Telegraph.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/new...-1226799602482
"THIS is the saddest announcement we can possibly make - that Daniel is no longer with us."With those words, the family of teenager Daniel Christie revealed their beloved son had died yesterday - after 11 days of watching him fight to wake up from a coma brought on by a "coward punch" attack.
The heartbreaking news was made at 2.50pm after a procession of family and friends had stood by his bedside, bidding farewell to the much-loved 18-year-old.
His family said Daniel's death had destroyed them and had "torn a hole in the wider community in which he was involved".
"We have been overwhelmed by support and have felt the whole country experience our grief," the Christie family said in a statement.
Daniel was admitted to St Vincent's Hospital on New Year's Eve after allegedly being attacked by 25-year-old Shaun McNeil on Victoria St, Potts Point. Mr McNeil, a labourer, was arrested at the scene and charged with assaulting and several other young men, including Daniel's brother, Peter Christie.
Read the Christie family statement in full
The family of Daniel Christie (father Michael on the left). Source: News Limited
Police said yesterday further charges, including a possible murder charge, might be laid against Mr McNeil when he returned to court on March 4. This was backed by Attorney-General Greg Smith, who has briefed the Director of Public Prosecutions to examine whether murder charges would be appropriate.
The alleged attack happened metres from where 18-year-old Thomas Kelly was fatally felled by a single punch in 2012.
The Christies said that to honour Daniel's generous spirit they would donate his organs. "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 added: "Daniel was exceptional. He was a beacon of morality with a heart of gold. We are so proud of Daniel and will strive to live with the core values he possessed: respect, dignity, pride and integrity.
Daniel Christie's Dad Michael and brother Peter outside St Vincent's Hospital. Source: News Limited
"We do not want Daniel's death to be in vain and are committed to rallying for change.A positive change needs to come from such a negative situation. ... Daniel lived by the mantra 'If change can be, it's up to me' - and this is something we will always embrace.
"We would like 'coward punches' to be a thing of the past. People have the right to go out without experiencing mindless violence.
"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.
"Finally, these incidents make you realise how fragile life can be. Go home and hug your children. Tell them you love them. Cherish your family … you never know when your loved one could be gone."
By last night, more than 126,000 people had signed a petition calling on the O'Farrell government to reform sentencing laws to curb alcohol-fuelled violence.