'Do you want see something funny?': Accused Brisbane one-punch attacker's 'callous' words

The man accused of fatally striking Brisbane teenager Cole Miller on Sunday morning allegedly asked his mates if they wanted to "see something funny" before landing his killer blow.

Police will allege the "callous" Daniel Jermaine Lee Maxwell and his friend Armstrong Renata, both 21, were stalking the streets of Fortitude Valley with two other friends, looking for people to bash, the Courier-Mail reports.

Already charged with grievous bodily harm, prosecutors said the pair would face a new charge of unlawful striking causing death, which carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.

However earlier today the men charged over the death of Brisbane teenager Cole Miller are said to be devastated by what's occurred.

Armstrong Renata and Daniel Jermaine Lee Maxwell faced court charged with unlawful striking causing death on Tuesday, a day after the 18-year-old's life support was switched off.

Maxwell's lawyer Michael Bosscher said his 21-year-old client was "doing it tough".

"He's devastated by what's occurred," Mr Bosscher told reporters outside court.

"He feels nothing but the greatest sympathy for the family of the victim. He's only a young man himself. It was his birthday on the evening in question."

"He has no friends or family really here in Australia - they're all in New Zealand."

Renata's lawyer Neil Lawler said his client, also 21, had never been in custody before and was stressed and anxious.

"I think it's safe to say it's a tragedy for all concerned," Mr Lawler said.

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They accused already attacked three people and tried to assault another when they came upon 18-year-old Cole and his friend Nick Pace and struck again, police claim.

"Do you want to see something funny?" Mr Maxwell is alleged to have said before throwing the punch that knocked Cole, an aspiring water polo player, to ground face first.

The group immediately fled the scene.

Police said he was rendered "immediately unconscious" and his brain was so badly damaged he would never wake again.

Cole was transported to the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital where he died on Monday.

His father Steven Miller confirmed his son's death to the media, saying it was "with deep sadness that I announce that our 18-year-old son Cole has today passed away as a result of massive brain trauma".

Australian boxer Danny Green has since taken to social media showing his support for Cole Miller’s family.

Green also stated the need for sentencing laws to be strengthened as a deterrent against future coward punch attacks.

His passionate plea has since gone viral striking a chord with social media users.

He has also called for tougher penalties for coward punches in the wake of the 18-year-old’s shocking death yesterday.

Green, known for his national campaign against coward punches, posted on Facebook: "My heart goes out to the family of Cole Miller who lost his battle after being attacked," he wrote.

"We are all fighting hard to eradicate this disgraceful and cowardly behavior."

"To strike another human who has no idea it's coming is mind-blowingly gutless. No one respects it.”

“Begs the question – what sentence is strong enough to stop this madness?”

"Life in jail for an innocent life taken?"

Detective Senior Constable Amanda Foster described Mr Maxwell in an affidavit as a "callous" thug with no regard for his victims' wellbeing.

Constable Foster told the court Mr Maxwell's belief that assaulting a random victim was something "funny" showed how "callous" a human he was.

"(This) personifies the disregard (Mr Maxwell) has for other members of the public and the consequences of his violent behaviour," the detective's statement said.

The charge of unlawful striking causing death, known as the "one-punch law," was introduced in Queensland in October 2014 with the intent of dissuading so-called "coward punch" attacks.

They are expected to front Brisbane Magistrate Court again today to face the upgraded charges.

The law was not enough to save Cole, whose father described as "a beautiful, brave, young man who had his whole life yet to be lived".

Legal aid representative for Mr Maxwell, Tim Clements, said of his client Monday: "He's voluntarily attended the police station to take part in an interview with police."

"He's alleged to have approached theses two people and asked them if they wanted to fight."

"It's then alleged that the co-accused has come in from behind and that's the punch that has led to this person falling to the ground."

Cole has represented Queensland in under-20s water polo, is a member of the Brisbane Barracudas Water Polo Club and is the younger brother of Australian water polo player and Olympian Billy Miller.

A community Facebook page 'Remember Cole Miller' has been launched in memory of the 18-year-old.

The page requests the public "marches together to remember and honour one punch victim Cole Miller."

"Lets march together in his name and raise our voices together to put a stop to these coward punches. Please, do it for Cole, his family and the other victims of the coward one punch," the page states.

The event will occur on 11th of January at King George Square in the Brisbane CBD.

News break – January 5