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

[arielilane]

Late posting. Initial posting Feb. 4

#PaulCaneiro struggles to hold back tears as photos of his deceased nephew Jesse are shown during testimony.

Paul is alleged to have murdered his brother Keith Caneiro, Jesse and the rest of Keith’s family before burning their home to the ground.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2019108235207192756

 

[Seattle1]

Brother was ‘protective’ of the family he is accused of killing, neighbor testifies during N.J. mansion murder trial

His long-time family friends said he was a well-read individual.

www.nj.com

2/7/26

Family friend and neighbor Jack Gould first took the stand, telling the jurors about the kind of person Paul Caneiro is: “Well-educated.” “Helpful.” Having a “calm” personality.

[..]

Pamela, Gould’s wife, testified that her family has been “very, very close” with the Caneiros for some 25 years. She said Paul Caneiro was “sometimes opinionated” but smart and offered advice when needed.

She said she saw Susan, Paul’s wife, on Nov. 19, 2018, for a cup of tea — just hours before the family of four was slain at their home in Colts Neck.

She also said Paul loved Keith’s kids like they were his own and was especially close with Jesse, who he would get lunch with.

James and Stacey Pritchett, another married couple who each testified, expressed many of the same sentiments.

 

[Seattle1]

https://www.app.com/story/news/local/courts/2026/02/06/juror-tells-wife-caneiro-autopsy-photos-were-really-impactful/88439265007/

2/6/26

Superior Court Judge Marc C. Lemieux learned of a conversation that a juror had with a sheriff's officer while leaving the courthouse following that testimony. The judge questioned the juror about it when the trial of Paul Caneiro in the murders of his four family members resumed on Feb. 6.

[..]

Lemieux asked the juror how the autopsy photos impacted him.

"Just sadness,'' he replied.

The questioning took place outside the presence of the other jurors.

[..]

The judge allowed the juror to remain on the panel after the juror assured him he could remain fair and impartial. The juror also told the judge he didn't think his fellow jurors heard what he said to the sheriff's officer.

[..]

All four [defense] witnesses testified they were fixtures at backyard barbecues at Paul Caneiro's home and that they spent many holidays with the family, also getting to know Keith and Jennifer and the couple's two children.

All four of the defense witnesses said they considered Paul Caneiro, his wife and two daughters as extended family. The defendant's wife and daughters were in the courtroom for the testimony.

[..]

Paul Caneiro "rolled with the punches, never got angry, never got upset,'' even when all the children were around, the physician testified.

 

[arielilane]

TRIAL HIGHLIGHTS​

DAY 16 – 2/9/26​

• LIVE STREAM: NJ v. Paul Caneiro – Day 16 | Mansion Murders Trial
• Katie Caneiro, the defendant’s older daughter, testified.
  • WATCH: Katie Caneiro Describes Father Shaking Her Awake During House Fire

NJ v. Paul Caneiro: The Mansion Murders Trial

UPDATE: Paul Caneiro is accused of murdering his brother, Keith Caneiro, and Keith's wife and children before setting both of their homes on fire.

www.courttv.com

2/9/2026

In a search of Paul’s home, detectives found a container holding clothing and a latex glove “with red stains consistent with blood” in his basement. An affidavit says a 9mm unspent projectile was also found in the clothes. The same type of ammunition was located in Paul’s home and used in the murders, according to investigators.

 

[arielilane]

Photos: Photos from the Paul Canerio trial in Monmouth County | Week 5

https://twitter.com/x/status/2020901789260718347

https://www.app.com/picture-gallery/news/local/courts/2026/02/09/paul-caneiro-trial-monmouth-county-colts-neck-nj/88585924007/?taid=698a0f1329d3ee00013f0d8f&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter

2/9/2026

 

[Seattle1]

Defense again points finger at youngest Caneiro brother in Colts Neck quadruple murder trial

In the murder trial against Paul Caneiro, his daughter Katie recalls cherished family memories while detailing the heartbreak of losing her uncle, aunt, and two young cousins in a brutal attack and fire.

nj1015.com

2/9/26

FREEHOLD BOROUGH — As jurors heard tearful testimony from Paul Caneiro’s daughter, his defense attorney pressed a familiar theme in the quadruple murder trial: raising questions about the youngest Caneiro brother, Corey, in a trial where prosecutors insist the trail leads to only one man.

Katie Caneiro, who works as an ER nurse, said she considered the victims, Keith and Jennifer Caneiro, her second parents.

“Every holiday we spent together - birthdays, my whole life,” Katie testified about her aunt, uncle and two younger cousins — 11-year-old Jesse and 8-year-old Sophia.

Prosecutors have accused Paul Caneiro of slaughtering his brother’s family at their Colts Neck home days before Thanksgiving in 2018, out of financial desperation and then setting that house and his own home on fire in efforts to cover his tracks.



Read More: Paul Caneiro murder trial testimony and evidence explained | Defense again points finger at youngest Caneiro brother in Colts Neck quadruple murder trial

 

[Seattle1]

TRIAL HIGHLIGHTS​

DAY 16 – 2/9/26​

• LIVE STREAM: NJ v. Paul Caneiro – Day 16 | Mansion Murders Trial
• Katie Caneiro, the defendant’s older daughter, testified.
  • WATCH: Katie Caneiro Describes Father Shaking Her Awake During House Fire

NJ v. Paul Caneiro: The Mansion Murders Trial

UPDATE: Paul Caneiro is accused of murdering his brother, Keith Caneiro, and Keith's wife and children before setting both of their homes on fire.

www.courttv.com

 

[Niner]

Day 16

Defendant's daughter gives critical testimony in Colts Neck murder trial

The daughter of a man on trial in one of the biggest murder cases to play out in New Jersey in years gave gripping testimony on Monday.

abc7ny.com

this one describes what went wrong

N.J. mansion murders trial halted during testimony of suspect’s daughter

The judge dismissed the jury and ordered lawyers to submit briefs by after prosecutors objected to questions about Jesse Caneiro's iPad location.

www.nj.com

Feb. 10, 2026
The judge in Paul Caneiro’s murder trial abruptly halted the testimony of Paul’s daughter in the middle of questioning as she was about to answer a question about her dead cousin Jesse’s iPad.

Katie Caneiro, testifying for the defense, had just finished describing her family’s close, idyllic life with her uncle Keith Caneiro, aunt Jennifer and cousins, Jesse, 11, and Sophia, 8 — who her father is accused of killing on Nov. 20, 2018.

She also described her recollection of the day of the murders and finding out they were all gone. “It was the hardest day of my life,” she said through tears, while seated just a few feet from her father.

Moments later, she described how Jesse had shared the location of his iPad with Katie, and in February 2019, five months after the murders, she checked the iPad’s location.

“When you checked the location, what was the location?” defense attorney Monika Mastellone asked. Before Katie could answer, prosecutor Nicole Wallace objected, which led to a side bar and then a lengthy delay, and Monmouth County Judge Marc Lemieux leaving the bench.

When he returned, he dismissed the jury, and said the lawyers had until 10 p.m. to write briefs on a legal issue, and he would decide the matter Tuesday morning.

He then told Mastellone the issue was about “you not telling the state what you were about to elicit.”

 

[Niner]

Tuesday, February 10th:
*Trial continues (Day 17) (Attorneys @ 8am & Jury @ 9am ET) – NJ – Keith Martin Caneiro (50), his wife Jennifer Karidis Caneiro (45) & 2 children Jesse (11) & Sophia (8) (Nov. 20, 2018, Colt’s Neck; died prior to fire @ home) – *Paul Jay Caneiro (51/now 59) (bro) arrested (11/20/18), charged (11/29/18), indicted (2/25/19) & arraigned (3/18/19) on 4 counts of murder, 2 counts of felony murder, 2 counts of aggravated arson, possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose, possession of a knife for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of a knife, theft, misapplication of entrusted property & 2 counts of hindering apprehension. Plead not guilty. Held without bond. Monmouth County
*Indicted (7/1/19) & arraigned (3/18/19) with 2nd degree insurance fraud (from 11/6/12 to 7/9/19). Plead not guilty.
Paul Caneiro allegedly stole $78K from Keith & Jennifer Caneiro. He stole the money sometime between January 2017 & the day of the murders.
Jury selection began on 1/5/26 & ended on 1/9/26. 12 jurors & 4 alternates.
Trial began on 1/12/26 & State rested their case on 2/6/26. Defense began their case on 2/6/26. (should take about 4 weeks/thru 3/20 per Judge)
Superior Court Judge Marc C. Lemieux presiding. Monmouth County Prosecutor Deputy First assistant Christopher Decker & Assistant Monmouth County prosecutor Nicole Wallace. Public defender’s office attorneys Monika Mastellone & Andy Murray.
Court info from 11/28/18 thru 12/4/25 r& Jury Selection Days 1-5 (1/5-1/9/26) & Trial Days 1-15 (1/12-2/6/26-no trial on 2/5/26) reference post #220 here:
https://websleuths.com/threads/nj-m...olts-neck-20-nov-2018-arrest-2.740776/page-11
2/9/26 Monday, Trial Day 16: Defense witness: Katelyn Caneiro [Paul's daughter].
*Something went south legally in court. Judge Marc Lemieux demanded that attorneys on both sides submit briefs by 10 p.m. Monday night concerning an issue he says was only brought to his attention today. He was adamant. This is regarding where Jesse’s ipad was found. The judge will meet with the attorneys at 8am Tuesday & the jury will be called to the courtroom at 9am. Trial continues on Tuesday, 2/10/26.

 

[Weki]

I haven't been following this trial day to day, just seeing snippets posted by Law and Crime mainly around the drama between the defense attorney and the judge. Those that are watching the trial daily, what is your opinion? Is the judge co-prosecuting this case? Or is the defense attorney out of her depth and disrespectful to the court?

I can't believe she rolled her eyes at the judge! wow.

 

[Wishbone]

I haven't been following this trial day to day, just seeing snippets posted by Law and Crime mainly around the drama between the defense attorney and the judge. Those that are watching the trial daily, what is your opinion? Is the judge co-prosecuting this case? Or is the defense attorney out of her depth and disrespectful to the court?

I can't believe she rolled her eyes at the judge! wow.

From what little I have watched it appears to me that the defense atty keeps trying to introduce testimony from witnesses that was not available to the prosecution and the judge is a little peeved about it. JMOO

 

[jennyjenny]

I haven't been following this trial day to day, just seeing snippets posted by Law and Crime mainly around the drama between the defense attorney and the judge. Those that are watching the trial daily, what is your opinion? Is the judge co-prosecuting this case? Or is the defense attorney out of her depth and disrespectful to the court?

I can't believe she rolled her eyes at the judge! wow.

I've watched entire trial to date ... Def. attorney is out of bounds. Her "Girl Boss" attitude is TikTok vibes!!

 

[Weki]

I've watched entire trial to date ... Def. attorney is out of bounds. Her "Girl Boss" attitude is TikTok vibes!!

Thank you. I was just lamenting the lack of professionalism in another case where the prosecutor was chewing game and dressing casually for a double murder trial and this defense attorney seems of the same ilk from the little I've seen. People were defending the prosecutor in that other case to my amazement and I got a couple of eye rolls on my comments. But this is a sad degradation of the judicial process. Rolling your eyes at the judge?? Wow.

JMO

 

[LittleSeaTree]

Just watched a little. It’s definitely awfully cringe on so many levels. The attitudes are gross, imo. I am about 30 minutes from each crime scene. This is a different breed of Jerseyans, I swear! The same depicted so sensationally on many tv shows! Really icky, to say the least

 

[LittleSeaTree]

The wife is supporting him also?? TIA

 

[Luna20]

Thank you. I was just lamenting the lack of professionalism in another case where the prosecutor was chewing game and dressing casually for a double murder trial and this defense attorney seems of the same ilk from the little I've seen. People were defending the prosecutor in that other case to my amazement and I got a couple of eye rolls on my comments. But this is a sad degradation of the judicial process. Rolling your eyes at the judge?? Wow.

JMO

I agree 100%. You and I were posting about it. It’s starting to feel like courtroom reality tv. I can’t imagine any attorney rolling their eyes at anyone in court, much less the judge. It is disappointing.

How did the defense rule Paul out? Corey didn’t testify so what is their strategy?

 

[Niner]

Day 17

Murder suspect fell to knees upon learning of brother’s family’s deaths, daughter testifies. Defense rests case.

Paul Caneiro will not testify in his own defense as closing arguments are set to begin Wednesday in the quadruple murder and arson case.

www.nj.com

 

[Niner]

Wednesday, February 11th:
*Trial continues (Day 18)-CLOSING ARGUMENTS! (@ 8:30am ET) – NJ – Keith Martin Caneiro (50), his wife Jennifer Karidis Caneiro (45) & 2 children Jesse (11) & Sophia (8) (Nov. 20, 2018, Colt’s Neck; died prior to fire @ home) – *Paul Jay Caneiro (51/now 59) (bro) arrested (11/20/18), charged (11/29/18), indicted (2/25/19) & arraigned (3/18/19) on 4 counts of murder, 2 counts of felony murder, 2 counts of aggravated arson, possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose, possession of a knife for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of a knife, theft, misapplication of entrusted property & 2 counts of hindering apprehension. Plead not guilty. Held without bond. Monmouth County
*Indicted (7/1/19) & arraigned (3/18/19) with 2nd degree insurance fraud (from 11/6/12 to 7/9/19). Plead not guilty.
Paul Caneiro allegedly stole $78K from Keith & Jennifer Caneiro. He stole the money sometime between January 2017 & the day of the murders.
Jury selection began on 1/5/26 & ended on 1/9/26. 12 jurors & 4 alternates.
Trial began on 1/12/26 & State rested their case on 2/6/26. Defense began their case on 2/6/26 & rested their case on 2/10/26.
Superior Court Judge Marc C. Lemieux presiding. Monmouth County Prosecutor Deputy First assistant Christopher Decker & Assistant Monmouth County prosecutor Nicole Wallace. Public defender’s office attorneys Monika Mastellone & Andy Murray.
Court info from 11/28/18 thru 12/4/25 r& Jury Selection Days 1-5 (1/5-1/9/26) & Trial Days 1-16 (1/12-2/9/26-no trial on 2/5/26) reference post #229 here:
https://websleuths.com/threads/nj-m...olts-neck-20-nov-2018-arrest-2.740776/page-12
2/10/26 Tuesday, Trial Day 17: Defense witnesses: Katelyn Caneiro [Paul's daughter]. Marissa Caneiro [Paul's daughter].
*The defense rested its case. Paul told the judge he will not testify in his defense. And prosecutors said they would offer no rebuttal witnesses, meaning the third brother, Corey Caneiro, will not be called to the stand. The defense had thrown suspicion onto Corey during the trial, which commenced in early January. Closing arguments are expected to begin Wednesday. Trial continues on Wednesday, 2/11/26.

 

[SilentHill]

Day 17

Murder suspect fell to knees upon learning of brother’s family’s deaths, daughter testifies. Defense rests case.

Paul Caneiro will not testify in his own defense as closing arguments are set to begin Wednesday in the quadruple murder and arson case.

www.nj.com

Always appreciate your updates and the work you do Niner!

P.s I also know I've stayed up far too late when I see you doing your updates

 

[Seattle1]

TRIAL HIGHLIGHTS​

DAY 17 – 2/10/26​

• The defense rested its case. Closing arguments are expected Wednesday, Feb. 11.

NJ v. Paul Caneiro: The Mansion Murders Trial

UPDATE: Paul Caneiro is accused of murdering his brother, Keith Caneiro, and Keith's wife and children before setting both of their homes on fire.

www.courttv.com