David "D.J." Creato Jr. is accused of killing his 3-year-old son to save his romantic relationship.
CAMDEN -- The best friend of a Haddon Township man accused of killing his own son told jurors at the murder trial Tuesday that David "D.J." Creato Jr. was a gentle, quiet guy who always put his son first.
Outside the courtroom, Kevin Kehs, 23, said his friend is innocent.
"I know he didn't do it. I'm shocked he's still in jail," Kehs, of Cobleskill, New York, said after testifying in Camden County Superior Court.
He said Creato didn't have it in him to hurt a fly -- literally.
"He didn't even like to kill spiders and bugs at our apartment," Kehs said.
The prosecution in Creato's trial maintains that he murdered Brendan Creato, 3, and dumped his body in a stream in Cooper River Park Oct. 13, 2015. Their theory is that he did it because he was afraid his girlfriend, Julia Stensky, who didn't like children, was going to leave him.
Stensky, now 19, testified Tuesday morning, saying she didn't want Creato to have custody of his son and was annoyed he was around the weekend before his death.
Creato has denied the charges. He called 911 and reported his son missing, and later told police it was possible that Brendan left the apartment on his own or, if the door was left unlocked, that someone may have taken the boy.
Detective cries describes carrying tot's body
He also suggested, in a conversation with Brendan's mother that she recorded without his knowledge, that spirits from the park may have drawn Brendan there.
Kehs, who was called to testify for the prosecution, said Tuesday afternoon that he became close friends with Creato in their senior year at Haddon Township High School, and Creato eventually became like a brother to him.
He lived with Creato for about two years, starting at Creato's parents' house in June 2013 and later at an apartment in Brooklawn.
Kehs told jurors he recalled Creato texting him in September 2015 that he was thinking of breaking up with Stensky because "he wasn't happy and they just both wanted completely different things." However, Creato and Stensky stayed together.
Stensky rarely spoke to Creato's friends when they hung out together, Kehs said.
Kehs said he and his girlfriend were visiting friends and family in Haddon Township on Columbus Day weekend of 2015 -- a few days before Brendan was found dead.
He told jurors that he hung out with Creato, Stensky and others Saturday night. He testified that Stensky "threw a fit" and walked out because she didn't want to go to a Haddon Township bar, The Irish Mile. Creato followed her out, Kehs said.
Cop: It looked like tot was placed in stream
The four also watched movies at Creato's Sunday night, Kehs said, and Creato's behavior was perfectly normal.
On cross-examination, Kehs opened up about Creato's love for his son, recalling Creato's excitement the day his son was born.
"He was a great dad," Kehs said. "He was always there for him. He always put him first." He recalled many times when Creato would have to cancel plans because he needed to watch his son.
Creato's attorney, Richard J. Fuschino Jr., asked him whether Creato was known for being peaceful, calm and truthful.
"He's a very peaceful guy. He's very quiet. He doesn't like to stir the pot unless it's necessary," Kehs said. "He's pretty easy-going; a very gentle, nice guy." He said he believed Creato was an honest man.
Outside the courtroom, Kehs said he and Creato have stayed in touch even while the latter is in jail.
Rebecca Everett may be reached at reverett@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @rebeccajeverett. Find NJ.com on Facebook.