Brisbane teen's king-hit death: Kiwi pleads guilty to lesser charges

Brisbane teenager Cole Miller died in hospital from serious head injuries after being challenged to a fight in the nightclub district of Fortitude Valley the night of January 3, 2016. Photo / Facebook

By Sarah Motherwell

A Kiwi who started the fight that killed Brisbane teenager Cole Miller has pleaded guilty to lesser charges.

Daniel Maxwell was due to stand trial in the Brisbane Supreme Court this week for unlawful striking causing the death of the 18-year-old elite waterpolo player.

Maxwell instead pleaded guilty today to one count of affray and two counts of assault.

The court heard Maxwell asked friend friends "do you want to see something funny?" before challenging Miller to fight in the nightclub district of Fortitude Valley on the night of January 3, 2016.

Michael Miller, uncle of one-punch victim Cole Miller, leaves the Supreme Court in Brisbane today. Photo / AAP

Maxwell then punched Miller in the chest before attacking the teenager's friend Nick Pace.

Miller was then punched in the back of the head by Armstrong Renata, causing him to fall unconscious face first onto the ground.

He later died in hospital from serious head injuries.

Renata has pleaded guilty to unlawful striking causing death and had his sentencing delayed in June after it was revealed he had been charged with assaulting prison guards while in custody.

Prosecutor David Meredith told the court Maxwell could not be punished for Miller's death as he was not legally responsible.

But he noted the teenager's death was a consequence of Maxwell picking a fight because he wanted to do something funny.

Maxwell's sentencing hearing continues.

- AAP