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Charges upgraded for Bris attack

ABC

ABC

Two men accused of a fatal attack on Brisbane teenager Cole Miller are due to reappear in court today on upgraded charges that carry a life sentence.

Mr Miller, 18, died in the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital on Monday morning, more than 24 hours after being hit once in the back of the head in an alleged random attack in Fortitude Valley in Brisbane’s entertainment precinct.

The talented Brisbane Barracudas water polo player and former Brisbane State High School student never regained consciousness after the attack.

Daniel Jermaine Lee Maxwell and Armstrong Renata, both 21, appeared in court on Monday charged with grievous bodily harm and were remanded in custody.

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Their charges were upgraded to unlawful striking causing death after Mr Cole’s death.

The charge, which was introduced in 2014 as part of Safe Night Out legislation, carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

Both men are due to reappear in the Brisbane Magistrates Court today.

On Monday night, dozens of mourners attended a vigil in Fortitude Valley to lay flowers and remember Mr Miller.

Friends have also taken to social media, with the Facebook page ‘RIP Cole Miller’ attracting more than 1,200 followers in less than a day.

More than 3,500 people have also registered their interest to attend an event at King George Square in the Brisbane CBD on Monday, January 11 to remember Mr Miller.

Mr Miller’s father Steven gave a brief statement to media yesterday, remembering him as a “brave young man”.

“Cole was a beautiful, brave young man with his whole life yet to be lived,” he said.

“Our family and many close friends have been by his bedside since the incident.”

He thanked both the community and emergency services workers for their support.

Mr Miller was in his second season with the national water polo league at the time of his death.

Waterpolo Australia CEO Christopher Harrison yesterday tweeted Mr Miller’s passing was “a dark day for our sport”.

Mr Miller is the younger brother of Australian water polo player and Olympian Billy Miller.

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