‘Remorseless’ killer of Daniel O’Shea may face two decades behind bars

Jason Milhuisen may spend two decades behind bars as he awaits his fate over the “planned execution” of underworld figure Daniel O’Shea in Fawkner Park in 2019.

Questions remain about the brutal execution of underworld figure Daniel O’Shea but his killer has been revealed as ex-military.

Known in underworld circles as the “Shot Caller”, O’Shea, 41, died in a hail of bullets after an ambush in Fawkner Park in South Yarra in April 2019.

Jason Milhuisen, 39, who was last year found guilty of O’Shea’s murder, faced a pre-sentence hearing in the Supreme Court on Friday.

Crown prosecutor Elizabeth Ruddle, SC, said the convicted murderer was remorseless and had not revealed why he carried out the killing.

But there was evidence connecting him to the criminal underworld and it was a “planned execution”, she said.

Earlier, defence barrister Peter Morrissey SC said the circumstances of the killing were “somewhat opaque”.

Daniel O’Shea was shot dead in a park in South Yarra. Picture: Supplied

But he revealed his client had two stints in the Australian Defence Force before he left due to a knee injury and a loss in the family.

Characterising it as a mid-range example of murder, the defence lawyer said Milhuisen realistically faced at least two decades behind bars.

“It’s a serious matter he faces and an inevitable sentence of many years,” he said.

But his client was a “good bet” for rehabilitation, noting he had a blue-collar employment history and was a “doting parent”.

“His support network is very good,” he said.

Earlier, O’Shea’s mother Cheryl wiped away tears as read out a victim impact statement.

“My grief is relentless, unless you lost a child you will never understand the pain,” she said.

She said her slain son had been a strong support for his disabled younger brother who was last year diagnosed with cancer.

Police at the scene in Fawkner park. Picture: David Crosling

“I will never be a grandmother,” she said.

“I will probably die without any children.”

But she told the killer, who silently watched on from the dock, she did not hate him.

“I don’t hate you, I don’t even know you,” she said.

Milhuisen’s name was suppressed until the jury returned its verdict in December following a lengthy trial.

The jury was told O’Shea was ambushed in Fawkner Park in South Yarra on the night of April 26, 2019.

Milhuisen lay in wait, concealing himself behind trees before firing multiple rounds into O’Shea – the final bullet shot at close range into his face, the jury heard.

A young boy discovered weapons in leaves after police had searched the area. Picture: Supplied

Blood and a bloodied gauze bandage was left at the scene. Picture: Supplied

Crown prosecutor Elizabeth Ruddle SC said an associate of the killer was told O’Shea “screamed like a coward” after the first bullet.

Milhuisen was said to have then turned O’Shea over and shot him in the face because “he didn’t want him to have an open casket”, the prosecutor said.

The court heard a conversation took place in late 2020 where the killer showed off a revolver in the glove box of his car.

Ms Ruddle said the associate was told “this gun’s the baby brother” of the one that killed O’Shea.

Two guns – including a Smith & Wesson revolver – were located at the park the day after the shooting by a child taking part in an Easter egg hunt.

Homicide squad detectives charged Milhuisen after arresting him in Burwood almost two years after the murder.

Police and detectives at Fawkner Park. Picture: Lawrence Pinder

Police at the scene in South Yarra. Picture: Lawrence Pinder

The jury heard an extensive investigation led to his arrest, including analysis of CCTV footage of a man in a green baseball cap seen fleeing from the crime scene carrying a plastic shopping bag.

The bag was found dumped in nearby bushes and contained turpentine, a cigarette lighter, an Anko-branded bum bag and pieces of paper.

The morning of the shooting, Milhuisen was captured on security cameras at Kmart Burwood purchasing items of clothing and a bum bag which appeared a close match to those worn by the suspect.

Milhuisen will be sentenced later this year.

Originally published as ‘Remorseless’ killer of Daniel O’Shea may face two decades behind bars