A son accused of killing his father in a daylight one-punch attack in the Brisbane CBD will undergo a mental health assessment after facing upgraded charges.
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Appearing in court for the second day in a row, Morgan Alexander Isles-English was clearly agitated but seemed calmer than on Tuesday, when he sobbed throughout the hearing.
His father, Mark Bradley McGrice, also known as Mark English, died in hospital on Tuesday following the alleged attack, prompting police to upgrade a the son's charge to unlawful striking causing death.
Outside court, a homicide victims campaigner described the death as heartbreaking.
In adjourning the matter to August 15, the magistrate asked for Mr Isles-English to undergo a mental health assessment and be placed on "special watch".
He asked defence lawyer Trent Jones if there was a risk of self harm.
"Not that I'm aware of," Mr Jones replied.
Mr Isles-English allegedly punched his father in the mouth after a verbal outburst on Ann Street about 4pm Monday.
The 53-year-old Ashmore man fell backwards, smashing his head on the concrete.
Bystanders, including partner Varri Telfer gave first aid but Mr English remained face down on the ground for minutes after paramedics arrived.
They loaded him into an ambulance and took the father to the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital in a stable condition but his conditions worsened overnight.
Doctors had to place him in an induced coma and operated to try to save his life but weren't able to stop the bleeding.
By morning, Mr English's condition was critical and his family was preparing to say goodbye.
He died some time in the afternoon and overnight police upgraded the son's charge to unlawful striking causing death, a new law targeting one-punch attacks and carrying a minimum time in jail of 15 years or 80 per cent of the sentence length.
Homicide Victims Support Group general manager Ross Thompson said he had strongly supported the law's introduction to curb alcohol-fuelled attacks - as opposed to situations like this.
But he said it was for the courts to decide if it applied in this situation.
"It's not just one (man). A whole family has been destroyed here," he said.
"It's devastating. I feel heartbroken over it all."
Earlier that day, Mr Isles-English sobbed loudly throughout his brief appearance, pacing back and forth and hitting his head against the walls of the prisoner dock.
He yelled "I love you Mum" across the courtroom as his lawyer had the matter to be adjourned.
"I love you too," the clearly emotional woman replied.
On Wednesday, he said "I love you alright" as he was led out of the dock.
