Jury Set to Hear Paul Caneiro Case in Grisly 2018 N.J. Family Killings
The jury will decide whether Monmouth County resident Paul Caneiro killed his brother’s family and burned their Colts Neck house in 2018. In Freehold, Superior Court Judge Marc C. Lemieux will start the 12-juror, four-alternate trial on Monday.
He is accused of murdering his brother Keith Caneiro, 50, his wife Jennifer, 45, and their two children, Jesse, 11, and Sophia, 8. Police believe the family’s Colts Neck mansion was the scene of early November 20 murders. Caneiro allegedly burned his Ocean Township home after the killings to hide evidence.
Police believe the brothers’ financial disputes caused the crime. Keith planned to cut off Paul Caneiro for stealing from their firm. Authorities believe Paul might have gotten $3 million from his brother’s life insurance if Keith’s wife and children died.
A week was spent selecting trial jurors. Court officials assessed over 100 potential jurors, including their ability to attend a March 20 trial. Before testifying, candidates were evaluated for personal, financial, and medical difficulties. For fairness, Judge Lemieux and the lawyers asked jurors about their daily routines, news sources, entertainment preferences, and other personal interests.
Coronavirus and admissible evidence concerns delayed the lawsuit for years. Last year, the New Jersey Supreme Court heard the case before retrial.
Paul Caneiro left his Ocean Township house early on November 20 after disconnecting his security system, police say. Police say he drove to his brother’s house, cut the power to draw Keith outside, and shot him multiple times. In the basement, kitchen, and staircase landing, Jennifer, Jesse, and Sophia were found dead. The girl had 30 stab wounds, and fire smoke accented the murder.
Caneiro’s Ocean Township home burned at 5 a.m. Unharmed, his wife and two daughters left the building. Investigators accused murder, arson, firearms crimes, and fraud after linked the two fires to the homicides.
Prosecution evidence includes blood-stained clothing, DNA, security camera footage, and murder weapons. Since his arrest in late November 2018, Paul Caneiro has been in detention facing trial.
This case is noteworthy for its horrible crimes and family ties. With the jury selected, the trial should last weeks with evidence and testimony.
Sources:
- Monmouth County Superior Court
- New Jersey State Police
- Official court records and public filings
