Brendan Creato Memorial Removed Ahead Of Murder Trial, Report Says

HADDON TOWNSHIP, NJ — A memorial dedicated in honor of 3-year-old Brendan Creato was taken down over the weekend. The memorial included photos, cards, stuffed animals, candles, ribbons and a Christmas stocking. It had all been taken down by Sunday afternoon, ahead of the start of his father's murder trial.

The memorial was removed less than a week after Judge John T. Kelley ruled that the jury in the murder trial of David “DJ” Creato may be permitted to visit the site in which Brendan Creato’s body was found on Oct. 13, 2015, the Courier Post reports.

Assistant Prosecutor Christine Shah filed the motion last Wednesday, hoping to prove there was no way Brendan Creato could’ve walked from his father’s home to a stream that feeds into Cooper River where his body was discovered.

David Creato’s attorney Richard J. Fuschino Jr. expressed concern that the memorial might influence the jury’s decision.

He was also concerned that the landscape has changed dramatically over the last year and a half, including fallen trees and the change in season. Shah, who said she would like to have the jury visit the site at night, said crews could remove the fallen trees.

The actual scene where his body was recovered still has memorials in place, according to the Philly Voice. At least one large tree that had collapsed has been cleared.

Kelley gave tentative approval for the jury to visit the site, with some provisions. One such provision is that each member of the jury must be able to make the trip through the woods to the scene.

David Creato was indicted on charges of first-degree murder and second-degree endangering the welfare of a child in the death of his son on Jan. 12, 2016, three months after his son’s body was first discovered.

The prosecution claims David Creato’s motive was a jealous girlfriend, who said Brendan Creato was getting in the way of their relationship.

Jury selection is scheduled to begin Tuesday morning.