UPDATED: Self-proclaimed mixed martial arts fighter Shaun McNeil chose not to appear in court to face a charge of murder over the death of 18-year-old Daniel Christie in Kings Cross on New Year's Eve.
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Daniel's life support was switched off 11 days after he sustained a single punch to the head in an unprovoked attack just metres from where another teenager, Thomas Kelly, was killed in 2012.
Mr McNeil had been charged with maliciously inflicting grievous bodily harm and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
Police allege Mr McNeil punched three underage boys about 9pm on New Year's Eve. He claims the trio had approached him and his girlfriend about buying drugs.
One ran away and two hid behind Daniel and his brother Peter. Mr McNeil allegedly also punched Peter and the two boys. He has been charged with four counts of assault for the alleged attacks on Peter and the juveniles.
After Daniel's death, Attorney-General Greg Smith asked the acting Director of Public Prosecutions to examine if murder charges were appropriate "in light of the evidence, and in light of the alleged offender's reported martial arts experience".
Mr McNeil opted to stay in the cells at Central Local Court on Tuesday. He did not apply for bail and it was formally refused.
He will reappear in court in March