The indictment alleges for the first time that Paul Caneiro stole from Keith and/or Keith's wife and children. Paul Caneiro was charged with theft of movable property and misapplication of entrusted property for allegedly stealing roughly $75,000 between January 2017 and November 19. 2018, the day before the murder, according to the indictment.
Christopher Swendeman, a spokesman for the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office, said the money was not taken from Keith Caneiro's home, but declined further comment on the theft charges.
The hindering apprehension charges stem from Paul Caneiro's alleged efforts to conceal or destroy evidence against him in the case, according to the document.
Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni said in November that the extermination of Keith Caneiro's family was "financial in nature," related to the brothers' joint businesses based in Asbury Park.
A police document in the case, unsealed Monday, alleged that Keith Caneiro told associates that he was cutting Paul out of his share of the money from their joint businesses just hours before the murder. Keith Caneiro was concerned about money that had disappeared from the businesses' accounts and wanted to stop payment until he figured out where it went, according to an affidavit of probable cause — a police document in support of Caneiro's arrest.
The killings came to light when firefighters went to Keith and Jennifer Caneiro's home in Colts Neck on the afternoon of Nov. 20. Keith Caneiro was found, shot and dead, outside the home, while Jennifer, Jesse and Sophia were found dead inside, the prosecutor's office announced at the time.
Earlier that morning other firefighters had gone to Paul Caneiro's Ocean home to put out a fire authorities say he set himself to deflect suspicion by creating the illusion that some other person or group was trying to wipe out the greater Caneiro clan. Nobody was hurt in that fire, though Paul Caneiro's wife and adult children were home at the time.
Each count of murder can carry a life sentence without the possibility of parole if Caneiro is convicted, according to the prosecutor's office. Each count of felony murder - which is classified as a killing conducted in the commission of certain other crimes - could also carry a life sentence.
The indictment also includes aggravating factors that could keep Paul Caneiro from ever leaving prison if he's convicted. The factors include that Paul Caneiro allegedly killed children younger than 14 years old, that he committed the murders at least in part to receive or with the expectation of receiving money and that the murders were designed to prevent the accused from being apprehended or imprisoned for another offense.
Caneiro was first taken into custody on a single charge of aggravated arson, related to the fire at his own home, according to court records. The murder and other charges followed nine days later.
Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Christopher Decker represents the state, while attorneys Mitchell Ansell and Robert Honecker, of the Ocean Township firm Ansell; Grimm and Aaron, represent Caneiro.
Ansell and Honecker have said that Paul Caneiro says he is innocent of the charges against him.
"There is absolutely no reason in the world for Paul Caneiro to have committed the crimes he is alleged to have committed," they said in a prepared statement at the time of the original charges against him.
The defense attorneys issued another joint statement Monday evening saying they had received a copy of the indictment and are reviewing it with their client. Ansell and Honecker said they are discussing "potential issues" related to the indictment and are also looking at evidence collected by authorities to "identify any issues that may relate to the case."
Colts Neck murders: Paul Caneiro indicted on murder, theft charges
