Charge shocks accused’s dad

THE alleged murderer of Byron Bay DJ Chris Bradley was a hard worker who would not intentionally hurt anyone, according to his father Tony.

Javen O’Neill is in jail after being charged with murder on December 28 following the death of Mr Bradley at a party on Christmas Day in Byron Bay.

Police allege O’Neill (pictured below) punched Mr Bradley three times in the head at the party, which led to his death.

In court documents, O’Neill’s lawyer has claimed his client tried to save Mr Bradley’s life.

“He remained at the scene and rendered CPR to (Mr Bradley). These actions are inconsistent with an intention to cause grievous bodily harm,” the lawyer wrote.

In an affidavit filed at

Tweed Heads

Local Court,

O’Neill’s father Tony said the murder charge was a shock to the whole family.

The document notes O’Neill grew up on the NSW North Coast and went to Byron Bay High School until Year 10.

After leaving high school the 25year-old worked at Subway, as a cement renderer with his dad’s business, mined in Western Australia, worked on superyachts in Europe and taught indigenous children to swim in Darwin.

“Javen enjoyed a very healthy upbringing,” his father wrote. “He competed in Byron Bay board riders and won a number of regional titles.

“He played rugby league for Byron Bay and Mullumbimby.”

He wrote he had a close relationship with his son.

“We have been through a lot together. I separated from the boys’ mother when they were two and four respectively,” he wrote. “The boys initially lived with the mother following our separation but they soon after lived with me full-time, and would travel to Western Australia to be with their mother in school holidays.

“To say this charge has come as a shock to me and my family is an understatement.

“I do not believe that Javen would ever be intentionally violent towards anyone. It is not how he was raised and it is not the person that I know.”

O’Neill will appear in Tweed Heads Local Court via video link on October 17.