Renata Armstrong and Daniel Maxwell appear in court charged under one-punch laws

TWO men accused of fatally assaulting a young Brisbane athlete have appeared in court charged under new one-punch laws. The lawyer for one said he was out celebrating his 21st, while the second is “very stressed, very anxious”.

Cole Miller (back seat right) with family. Cole died after an assault in Fortitude Valley.

A Gold Coast man accused of king-hitting promising athlete Cole Miller has briefly appeared in court charged under new one-punch laws.

Armstrong Renata, 21, from Coombabah, was in the dock in Brisbane Magistrates Court shortly before 10am this morning charged with unlawful striking causing death.

COWARD PUNCH ACCUSED’S CALLOUS BOAST

Renata’s lawyer Neil Lawler told the court he did not wish to make an application for bail.

The case was adjourned until February 8.

Outside court, Mr Lawler described his client as “very stressed, very anxious”.

“He’s never been in custody before so the watch-house is a pretty tough place.

“I think it’s safe to say it’s a tragedy for all concerned”.

The second man, Daniel Maxwell, appeared in Brisbane Magistrates Court represented by lawyer Michael Bosscher. He did not apply for bail.

Mr Bosscher said he was not seeking bail and asked for a two week adjournment so he could consider the police statements.

The case will return to court on January 19.

Speaking outside of the Brisbane Magistrates Court, Mr Bosscher said his client Daniel Maxwell was “deeply upset”.

A court illustration of Armstrong Renata and Daniel Maxwell in court on Monday. Illustration: Jonathan Bentley

“He feels nothing but the greatest sympathy for the family of the victim,” Mr Bosscher said.

“(Maxwell) is only a young man himself. It was his (21st) birthday on the evening in question.

“He has no friends or family really here in Australia they are all in New Zealand so obviously he is doing it tough.”

Maxwell has been charged with unlawful striking causing death, a new charge under the tough one-punch laws.

Mr Bosscher said he anticipated he would apply for Maxwell to be released on bail in coming weeks.

The pair were originally charged with grievous bodily harm but the charge was upgraded yesterday when Miller’s life support was turned off.

Flowers, notes and gifts left in Chinatown Mall in memory of 18-year-old Cole Miller. PIC: Tara Croser.

In evidence tendered to court yesterday police allege Renata struck Miller with such tremendous force that he was rendered “immediately unconscious”.

Police alleged Maxwell and Renata were part of a group of four men in the Chinatown Mall at 3.30am on Sunday morning when they targeted Miller and his friend.