Paul Caneiro methodically “hunted” down his sister-in-law, niece and nephew after executing his brother outdoors his New Jersey mansion — so the dad couldn’t shield his household, a prosecutor informed jurors throughout opening statements at his homicide trial Monday.
Paul Caneiro, 59, is on trial for killing his enterprise companion brother, Keith Caneiro, 50, his spouse Jennifer, 45, and their daughter and son, Sophia, 8, and Jesse, 11, on November 20, 2018, after which setting their luxurious Colts Neck residence on hearth to cowl up what he’d executed.
The Caneiro brothers ran an NJ-based tech firm, Sq. One.
Paul Caneiro “snuck up on the household whereas they slept,” in the course of the night time, prosecutor Nicole Wallace informed a jury in Monmouth County Superior Courtroom in Freehold, NJ.
He “waited within the shadows” for his youthful sibling to come back outdoors and verify the generator after he lower the ability and turned off the backup energy, Wallace alleged.
Wielding a handgun, Caneiro “pulled the set off six occasions” and executed his brother “on the spot” so he was “out of the best way” and couldn’t shield his household, the prosecutor mentioned.
Caneiro then set his sights on his sister-in-law, niece and nephews — and “hunted them down,” Wallace claimed.
He stabbed and shot his Jennifer after which repeatedly stabbed the youngsters — stabbing Sophia “17 occasions over her complete 45-pound physique,” the prosecutor alleged.
Caneiro then began a slow-burning hearth within the basement, and the 2 youngsters, nonetheless respiratory, inhaled smoke as they bled out, Wallace claimed.
After that, he went residence and set his personal Ocean Township residence ablaze to make it appear to be the entire household had been focused, Wallace claimed.
Nevertheless, he ensured his personal spouse and youngsters managed to flee the fireplace with out accidents.
The complete plan was motivated by “greed and desperation,” Wallace charged.
The accused kin killer carried out the slaughter as a result of his youthful brother came upon that he was stealing tens of hundreds of {dollars} to fund an affair with a mistress, prosecutors claimed.
Keith Caneiro known as Paul the day earlier than the murders, confronting him about why cash was lacking from a belief fund that was getting used to pay Keith’s $3 million life insurance coverage coverage premiums, officers claimed.
Paul was the only trustee of the fund.
Paul dodged the grilling, claiming he had a migraine. The following day, he killed Keith and his household at their $1.5 million manse earlier than his swindling might be confirmed, prosecutors alleged.
Keith was allegedly shot within the head 4 occasions, whereas his spouse was shot within the head. The kids had been discovered with stab wounds and burn wounds.
Paul has insisted on his innocence on 16 costs of homicide, aggravated arson, weapons possession, theft, hindering his arrest and associated crimes. He faces as much as life in jail with out the potential of parole if convicted on the highest costs.
He’s been jailed with out bail since his arrest on Nov. 21, 2018.
The case has confronted years of delays for myriad causes, together with the courts’ slowdown throughout the pandemic, Paul’s attorneys searching for to maintain DNA and surveillance proof out of trial, and a brand new lawyer becoming a member of his case final 12 months.
A panel of 12 jurors and 4 alternates will probably be tasked with deliberating on the trial, which is slated to last as long as 2 1/2 months.
