NJ - Multiple Deaths in Mansion Fire, Monmouth County, Colts Neck, 20 Nov 2018 *Arrest* #2

[Niner]

I went back and only saw this, "Lemieux issued a written decision about 5:30 p.m. ordering that Caneiro remain in jail pending trial, which is scheduled for Jan. 5."

I will check the Monmouth County Courthouse website and see if I can find some info

Thanks - much appreciated!

 

[Seattle1]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1967207128524820877

ETA: Just days before jury selection had been scheduled to start on Sept. 8, the New Jersey Supreme Court — the state’s top court — agreed to hear prosecutors’ appeal that DVR video evidence should be allowed to be shown to jurors.

[..]

Caneiro has pleaded not guilty and is now scheduled to go on trial beginning with jury selection on Jan. 5, 2026.

 

[Niner]

@cass523 - before printing up my info for next week - just wondering if you found his next court date yet? TIA!

 

[Seattle1]

Notable Cases - Overview | NJ Courts

Overview of significant legal cases involving state law, public interest, and legal procedures, including DWI plea agreements, forensic lab issues, and fair housing disputes.

www.njcourts.gov

State v. Paul Caneiro​

A defense motion regarding excludable time will be heard at 10 a.m. on Sept. 12 before Superior Court Assignment Judge Marc Lemieux, Monmouth County Courthouse, 71 Monument St., Freehold. The matter also will be livestreamed.

Jury selection is scheduled to begin in State v Paul Caneiro on Jan. 5, 2026, at 8:45 a.m. before Superior Court Assignment Judge Marc Lemieux, Monmouth County Courthouse, 71 Monument St., Freehold.

 

[Seattle1]

Track Appeals | NJ Courts

www.njcourts.gov

• Leave to Appeal Granted : Sept. 3, 2025
• Posted: Sept. 3, 2025

A-1-25 State v. Paul J. Caneiro (091055)

Under the circumstances presented, where defendant’s house was on fire, was the warrantless seizure of evidence from the garage justified under the exigent circumstances exception to the warrant requirement?

Note: The Court imposed an expedited, peremptory briefing schedule in this matter. Any motion for leave to appear as amicus curiae shall be served and filed through eCourts Supreme, with the proposed amicus brief, on or before 9/24/25. For information about submitting an amicus filing, please call the Clerk’s Office at (609)815-2955. No further submissions will be accepted unless requested by the Court.

PDF ORDER on Motion pgs 1-5:

https://www.njcourts.gov/system/files/court-opinions/2025/a_1_25.pdf

 

[Seattle1]

9/12/25

It’s 'Unjust' to Hold Paul Caneiro in Jail For Last 7 Years: Defense​

 

[Seattle1]

Judge Rules On Caneiro Release In Colts Neck Slayings, Trial Date Set

Paul Caneiro, 58, of Ocean Township, is accused of killing his brother and his brother's family before setting their home on fire in 2018.

patch.com

9/15/25

"It is not just to hold someone for seven years without a release (hearing)," Mastellone said.

During Friday’s hearing, the report said Christopher Decker, deputy first assistant Monmouth County prosecutor, argued that the 200-day period can be extended further when the court can’t proceed to trial.

Decker argued that this would be the case with Caneiro’s trial, because the state Supreme Court recently took over jurisdiction of the matter by agreeing to hear the appeal of one of Lemieux’s rulings to suppress evidence.

In his written ruling, the report said Lemieux agreed with Decker and ruled that the prosecutor’s appeal was “a valid exercise and preservation of appellate rights on suppression ruling, not a concession of unreadiness.”

Caneiro has been awaiting trial in his case since 2018, when he was accused of killing his brother, his brother’s wife, and their two children.

 

[LittleSeaTree]

9/12/25

It’s 'Unjust' to Hold Paul Caneiro in Jail For Last 7 Years: Defense​

Tough. IMO

 

[meanmaryjean]

Well, you have to ask yourself- WHO has been slowing down the whole process with endless delays?

 

[Niner]

Judge Rules On Caneiro Release In Colts Neck Slayings, Trial Date Set

Paul Caneiro, 58, of Ocean Township, is accused of killing his brother and his brother's family before setting their home on fire in 2018.

patch.com

9/15/25

"It is not just to hold someone for seven years without a release (hearing)," Mastellone said.

During Friday’s hearing, the report said Christopher Decker, deputy first assistant Monmouth County prosecutor, argued that the 200-day period can be extended further when the court can’t proceed to trial.

Decker argued that this would be the case with Caneiro’s trial, because the state Supreme Court recently took over jurisdiction of the matter by agreeing to hear the appeal of one of Lemieux’s rulings to suppress evidence.

In his written ruling, the report said Lemieux agreed with Decker and ruled that the prosecutor’s appeal was “a valid exercise and preservation of appellate rights on suppression ruling, not a concession of unreadiness.”

Caneiro has been awaiting trial in his case since 2018, when he was accused of killing his brother, his brother’s wife, and their two children.

I see no new hearing date.... Any other articles ? I am not finding anything. TIA if anyone finds it.

 

[Seattle1]

@cass523 - before printing up my info for next week - just wondering if you found his next court date yet? TIA!

On the eve of voir dire for 9/8/25, the Supreme Court granted the Trial Court "a leave," from the case on 9/3/25, and imposed an expedited filing date on or before 9/24/25, to file their proposed amicus brief-- after the Supreme Court agreed to hear the State's appeal about suppressing the contents of a digital video recorder (DVR) seized pursuant to a warrantless search of the defendant's garage.

In other words, granting a leave is similar to suspending the trial case so I wouldn't expect the Superior Court docket to have any activity except for the scheduled Motions hearing that was heard on 9/12 to release the defendant because the defense argued the Speedy Clock date was up on 9/14, and it would be a violation to hold him beyond this date.

To be clear, a leave by the Appellate Court also stops the speedy trial clock-- nonetheless, on 9/15/25, Judge Lemieux ruled in favor of the State Prosecutor, and Paul Caneiro remains jailed. IMO, this was the correct and only plausible ruling here! (The YT hearing is posted above).

At this time, we know voir dire for the trial was rescheduled to begin Jan. 5, 2026, at 8:45 a.m. before Superior Court Assignment Judge Marc Lemieux, Monmouth County Courthouse, 71 Monument St., Freehold.

 

[Niner]

On the eve of voir dire for 9/8/25, the Supreme Court granted the Trial Court "a leave," from the case on 9/3/25, and imposed an expedited filing date on or before 9/24/25, to file their proposed amicus brief-- after the Supreme Court agreed to hear the State's appeal about suppressing the contents of a digital video recorder (DVR) seized pursuant to a warrantless search of the defendant's garage.

In other words, granting a leave is similar to suspending the trial case so I wouldn't expect the Superior Court docket to have any activity except for the scheduled Motions hearing that was heard on 9/12 to release the defendant because the defense argued the Speedy Clock date was up on 9/14, and it would be a violation to hold him beyond this date.

To be clear, a leave by the Appellate Court also stops the speedy trial clock-- nonetheless, on 9/15/25, Judge Lemieux ruled in favor of the State Prosecutor, and Paul Caneiro remains jailed. IMO, this was the correct and only plausible ruling here! (The YT hearing is posted above).

At this time, we know voir dire for the trial was rescheduled to begin Jan. 5, 2026, at 8:45 a.m. before Superior Court Assignment Judge Marc Lemieux, Monmouth County Courthouse, 71 Monument St., Freehold.

Thanks - it was kind of hard for me to understand "what" was going on. Again - thanks for the explanation!

 

[Seattle1]

Thanks - it was kind of hard for me to understand "what" was going on. Again - thanks for the explanation!

NJ courts are still very stingy on providing public access to the docket details, but since the case was on the eve of trial, the case was finally getting mention and/or coverage on the "Notable Cases-Overview/NJ Courts" page linked below.

Notable Cases - Overview | NJ Courts

Overview of significant legal cases involving state law, public interest, and legal procedures, including DWI plea agreements, forensic lab issues, and fair housing disputes.

www.njcourts.gov

 

[Niner]

@Seattle- any "new" news now that 9/24 has passed. I asked on FB, but they just keep giving me the 1/5/26 trial date. So nothing new over there.
TIA if you can find his next court date!

 

[Seattle1]

@Seattle- any "new" news now that 9/24 has passed. I asked on FB, but they just keep giving me the 1/5/26 trial date. So nothing new over there.
TIA if you can find his next court date!

Since the Supreme Court imposed an expedited, peremptory briefing schedule in granting the leave to Appeal, if I recall correctly, the petitioner also waived any oral argument, so I don't think we will see the matter on the pending Appellate calendar either. IMO, January 5 is probably the best estimate for the next court date.