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

[Seattle1]

Expert vouches for software that analyzed DNA evidence in Caneiro murders

The scientific community has embraced technology used to test DNA implicating Paul Caneiro in the murders of his relatives, an expert testified.

www.aol.com

11/20/24

FREEHOLD - As a judge weighs the admissibility of DNA evidence against Paul Caneiro in the murders of four family members, a leading DNA expert testified Tuesday [11/19] that the method and technology used to analyze that evidence is the wave of the future at crime labs in the United States.

Michael Coble, a professor at the University of North Texas and executive director of its Center for Human Identification, vouched for the reliability of STRmix, the computer software that was used to analyze DNA evidence in the Caneiro case using a once untraditional method known as probabilistic genotyping.

ETA: Cable was the last prosecution witness. Defense attorneys are expected to call their expert witnesses when the hearing resumes Dec. 2.

@Niner

 

[Seattle1]

New technology found slain nephew's DNA on Paul Caneiro's jeans, expert testifies

A New Jersey state police DNA analyst said new technology was able to identify a victim's DNA on Paul Caneiro's jeans when prior methods could not.

www.yahoo.com

11/19/24

FREEHOLD A stain on the inside of a pair of jeans found in Paul Caneiro's basement after his brother's family was murdered in 2018 at first yielded no useful information for investigators when it was examined using the traditional method of DNA analysis, a state DNA expert testified Monday

But, when the DNA extracted from the stain was re-examined last year and run through a cutting-edge computer software program that the New Jersey State Police first began using in 2022, a portion of it was revealed to be the DNA of Caneiro's slain nephew, 11-year-old Jesse Caneiro, state police DNA forensic scientist Christine Schlenker testified.

Schlenker took the witness stand at an ongoing pretrial hearing [on Monday, 11/18] on the admissibility of DNA evidence at Paul Caneiro's upcoming trial.

[..]

Before Schlenker took the stand Monday, Jennifer Thayer, director of the state police DNA lab, testified about the process undertaken to validate the reliability of the STRmix software before the state police began using it.

 

[Niner]

From the news articles posted here, It appears the hearing days we can be confirm were Nov 13, 14, 15, 18, and 19. Searching for more updates...

Thanks Seattle! And I saw that Dec. 2nd date in one of the articles posted! I am now just getting back to "reading" - my cataract surgery was a SUCCESS|!!

 

[Seattle1]

In Caneiro murder case, expert grilled on limitations of software that analyzed DNA

John Buckleton defended the computer software used to analyze DNA evidence in the 2018 murders in Colts Neck of the Caneiro family.

www.yahoo.com

11/18/24

Christopher Godin of the NJ Office of the Public Defender's Forensic Science Unit reviews a document with John Buckleton, principal scientist at New Zealand's Institute of Environmental Science and Research, during a pre-trial hearing Nov. 15 for Paul Caneiro.

Godin questioned Buckleton about the limitations of the software to analyze the DNA of relatives. He pointed out, and Buckleton agreed, that relatives share what is known as alleles, which are sequences of DNA a person inherits from each parent.

"Because of that, family members can sometimes deposit DNA that looks like it came from some other relative?'' Godin asked.

'Yes,'' Buckleton responded.

Godin suggested to the witness that the DNA analysis in the Caneiro case may have falsely excluded Keith Caneiro from the DNA profiles in favor of his brother, to Paul Caneiro's detriment.

"There are exclusions that STRmix has made that are very harmful to Mr. (Paul) Caneiro,'' Godin said.

"Absolutely,'' Buckleton said.

 

[Niner]

Monday, dec. 2nd:
*Motions Hearing [continued] (@ am 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 56) (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.
Previously charge with 2 counts of 2nd degree aggravated arson (in connection to fire set @ his Ocean Township home on the same day before fire in Colt’s Neck) & with 4 counts of murder, with possession of a firearm & possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose. Plead not guilty. Held without bond. Paul Caneiro allegedly stole $78K from Keith & Jennifer Caneiro. He stole the money sometime between January 2017 & the day of the murders.
Trial was set to begin 6/3/24 was cancelled.
Superior Court Judge Joseph W. Oxley, presiding. Monmouth County Prosecutor Deputy First assistant Christopher Decker. Public defender’s office defense attorney W. Michael Wicke.
For STRMix motion – Superior Court Judge Marc C. Lemieux presiding. Nicole Wallace, assistant Monmouth County prosecutor & Defense attorney Christopher Godin.
Court hearing from 11/28/18 thru 11/14/24 reference post #954 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...-colts-neck-20-nov-2018-arrest.400517/page-48
11/15/24 Update: Motions hearing continues on 11/19/24. Testified on 11/12/24 - Michael Coble, a professor at the University of North Texas & executive director of its Center for Human Identification, vouched for the reliability of STRmix, the computer software that was used to analyze DNA evidence in the Caneiro case using a once untraditional method known as probabilistic genotyping. Coble, the last witness for the prosecution in its efforts to convince the judge to admit the DNA evidence, testified that probabilistic genotyping has been embraced by the scientific community. On 11/18/24 testified-State Police DNA forensic scientist Christine Schlenker testified. Before Schlenker took the stand Monday, Jennifer Thayer, director of the state police DNA lab, testified about the process undertaken to validate the reliability of the STRmix software before the state police began using it. the judge heard testimony from a DNA analyst from Bode Technology, a private forensic lab in Lorton, Virginia, to which the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office sent items in the Caneiro case to be tested before the state police began using STRmix. The analyst, Danielle Reed, testified that DNA from another area on the jeans was a mixture of DNA from three people. The STRmix analysis of the mixture revealed there was very strong support that Paul and Sophia Caneiro contributed to the mixture, Reed testified. Defense attorneys are expected to call their expert witnesses when the hearing resumes 12/2/24.

 

[Niner]

Technology used in Caneiro murders produces 'overblown' DNA results, expert testifies

Karl A. Reich, an expert in forensic DNA analysis, testified about the STRmix computer program that analyzed DNA evidence in the Caneiro murder case.

eu.app.com

Dec. 3, 2024 - 3 hours ago
FREEHOLD - A defense expert testified Monday that the computer software used to analyze DNA implicating Paul Caneiro in the murders of his brother's family has little usefulness and produces results that are "overblown and misinterpreted."

Attorneys for Paul Caneiro began their court attack on a cutting-edge computer software program known as STRmix by calling an expert in forensic DNA analysis to rebut assertions by prosecution witnesses that the technology is generally accepted in the scientific community.

Karl A. Reich, who manages a forensic DNA laboratory in the suburban Chicago area, testified his facility does not use the STRmix software, and he doesn't have a desire to employ it.
[.....]
The hearing on the admissibility of the DNA evidence is expected to continue into next week.


Now... does that mean the hearing is continued thru this week & next week? OR? continued into next week. Last line in article.

 

[Niner]

Any articles on when this week they might be continuing with this motion hearing? I have not found any... TIA if you do!

 

[Seattle1]

Any articles on when this week they might be continuing with this motion hearing? I have not found any... TIA if you do!

The Prosecution took a good 5 full days to put on it's case to admit the DNA expert and technology as evidence at trial and I doubt the defense will have nearly as many witnesses to call.

 

[Seattle1]

DNA software used in Caneiro murders 'not ready for prime time,' engineer testifies

A software engineering expert said there is little documentation the DNA software used in the Caneiro murder case was tested to see that it works.

www.yahoo.com

12/4/24

FREEHOLD - As the Public Defender's Office forged ahead in its battle to keep DNA evidence derived from a cutting-edge computer program out of court in the quadruple murder case against Paul Caneiro, a software engineer testified Tuesday there is inadequate documentation that the computer program was tested to ensure it works properly.

Mats Neimdahl, head of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of Minnesota, said at an ongoing pretrial hearing that he found little or no documentation the STRmix computer software program that analyzed DNA evidence in the case against Caneiro was adequately tested to ensure reliable results.

[..]

The challenge represents the first time a court in New Jersey will rule on the validity of the software, which uses a method known as probabilistic genotyping to analyze DNA, deviating from traditional methods of DNA analysis that have been in use for decades.

Lemieux's decision will have statewide implications, as the the New Jersey State Police recently began using STRmix in its DNA lab, while the Public Defender's Office is seeking to block its use in criminal cases going forward.

The ruling almost certainly will be appealed to the state Supreme Court, prosecutors and defense attorneys on the Caneiro case have said.

 

[Seattle1]

A pretrial hearing is underway for Paul Caneiro, charged in the murder of four family members

A pretrial hearing continues for Paul Caneiro on the admissibility of DNA evidence in the quadruple murder case against him.

www.app.com

12/6/24



Paul Caneiro listens during his pre-trial hearing before Superior Court Judge Marc C. Lemieux Friday, December 6, 2024, at the Monmouth County Courthouse in Freehold. The hearing will consider the admissibility of DNA evidence in quadruple murder case against Caniero.

Thomas P. Costello / Asbury Park Press

 

[Niner]

Thanks for those articles @Seattle1 - neither one though gives a hearing date for this week. Wonder when that will be? I know they are continuing this hearing from 12/6/24.

 

[Niner]

for Friday, 12/6/24 according to the article.

Software that yielded DNA evidence in Caneiro murders 'quite good,' defense expert says

Software that yielded DNA evidence against Paul Caneiro was not adequately tested, but the computer code itself was well-written, an expert testified.

eu.app.com

Dec. 7, 2024
FREEHOLD — A third software engineering expert testified for Paul Caneiro Friday that testing of the computer software that produced DNA results implicating him in the murders of four family members appeared inadequate, but he also said the computer program was "quite good'' and well-written.

"Outside of the testing issue, I thought the code itself was pretty professional, to be honest with you, and I've seen plenty of unprofessional code,'' Paul Martin testified about a software known as STRmix, which is under a microscope at a pretrial hearing in the Caneiro murder case.

"It was quite good,'' Martin, a software engineer with Florida-based consulting firm Harbor Experts, said of the STRmix computer code.
[.....]
The defense is expected to call its final witness when the hearing resumes Monday.

So - it looks like they had a hearing yesterday, Monday, 12/9/24 - I shall correct my notes.

 

[Niner]

So... to keep my notes straight I shall go ahead & post this.

Monday, Dec. 9th:
*Motions Hearing [continued] (@ am 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 56) (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.
Previously charge with 2 counts of 2nd degree aggravated arson (in connection to fire set @ his Ocean Township home on the same day before fire in Colt’s Neck) & with 4 counts of murder, with possession of a firearm & possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose. Plead not guilty. Held without bond. Paul Caneiro allegedly stole $78K from Keith & Jennifer Caneiro. He stole the money sometime between January 2017 & the day of the murders.
Trial was set to begin 6/3/24 was cancelled.
Superior Court Judge Joseph W. Oxley, presiding. Monmouth County Prosecutor Deputy First assistant Christopher Decker. Public defender’s office defense attorney W. Michael Wicke.
For STRMix motion – Superior Court Judge Marc C. Lemieux presiding. Nicole Wallace, assistant Monmouth County prosecutor & Defense attorney Christopher Godin.
Court hearing from 11/28/18 thru 11/14/24 reference post #954 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...-colts-neck-20-nov-2018-arrest.400517/page-48
11/15/24 Update: Motions hearing continues on 11/19/24. Testified on 11/12/24 - Michael Coble, a professor at the University of North Texas & executive director of its Center for Human Identification, vouched for the reliability of STRmix, the computer software that was used to analyze DNA evidence in the Caneiro case using a once untraditional method known as probabilistic genotyping. Coble, the last witness for the prosecution in its efforts to convince the judge to admit the DNA evidence, testified that probabilistic genotyping has been embraced by the scientific community. On 11/18/24 testified-State Police DNA forensic scientist Christine Schlenker testified. Before Schlenker took the stand Monday, Jennifer Thayer, director of the state police DNA lab, testified about the process undertaken to validate the reliability of the STRmix software before the state police began using it. the judge heard testimony from a DNA analyst from Bode Technology, a private forensic lab in Lorton, Virginia, to which the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office sent items in the Caneiro case to be tested before the state police began using STRmix. The analyst, Danielle Reed, testified that DNA from another area on the jeans was a mixture of DNA from three people. The STRmix analysis of the mixture revealed there was very strong support that Paul and Sophia Caneiro contributed to the mixture, Reed testified. Defense attorneys are expected to call their expert witnesses when the hearing resumes 12/2/24.
12/2/24 Update: Defense expert Karl A. Reich testified Monday that the computer software used to analyze DNA implicating Paul Caneiro in the murders of his brother's family has little usefulness & produces results that are "overblown and misinterpreted." Attorneys for Caneiro began their court attack on a cutting-edge computer software program known as STRmix by calling an expert in forensic DNA analysis to rebut assertions by prosecution witnesses that the technology is generally accepted in the scientific community. Karl A. Reich, who manages a forensic DNA laboratory in the suburban Chicago area, testified his facility does not use the STRmix software, and he doesn't have a desire to employ it. Hearing continues through next week.
12/7/24 Update: A third software engineering expert testified for Paul Caneiro Friday that testing of the computer software that produced DNA results implicating him in the murders of four family members appeared inadequate, but he also said the computer program was "quite good'' and well-written. "Outside of the testing issue, I thought the code itself was pretty professional, to be honest with you, and I've seen plenty of unprofessional code,'' Paul Martin testified about a software known as STRmix, which is under a microscope at a pretrial hearing in the Caneiro murder case. "It was quite good,'' Martin, a software engineer with Florida-based consulting firm Harbor Experts, said of the STRmix computer code. The defense is expected to call its final witness when the hearing resumes Monday, 12/9/24.

 

[Niner]

Looks like there was a hear on Monday...

Caneiro rolls the dice, risks possible life plus 211.5 years in prison to go to trial

Paul Caneiro said he "absolutely'' wants a trial in the murders of four relatives, acknowledging he faces hundreds of years in prison if found guilty.

eu.app.com

Dec. 16, 2024

FREEHOLD — Paul Caneiro told a judge Monday he will go to trial in the murders of four family members and risk a possible sentence of life without the possibility of parole, plus 211.5 years in prison if he is convicted of all 16 charges against him.

"Do you feel comfortable that this is the right decision for you?'' Superior Court Judge Marc C. Lemieux asked Caneiro.

"Absolutely,'' the 57-year-old Ocean Township man replied assertively.

The colloquy took place during a procedure known as plea cutoff, which is when all plea negotiations in a criminal case cease, and a defendant enunciates his intention to go to trial and reject the final plea offer extended to him.

At the conclusion of the colloquy, Lemieux set Caneiro's trial date for March 31.
[.....]
Lemieux then informed Caneiro he could face an additional 211.5 years in prison, in addition to life without parole, if he is convicted at trial of all 16 charges against him.
[.....]
Before the plea cutoff colloquy, a final defense witness testified at the conclusion of a more than three-week pretrial hearing on the admissibility of that DNA evidence.

Much of DNA expert Keith Inman's testimony focused on problems with using probabilistic genotyping to analyze DNA from related individuals.
[.....]
Kathleen Hopkins Asbury Park Press

Show Caption

FREEHOLD — Paul Caneiro told a judge Monday he will go to trial in the murders of four family members and risk a possible sentence of life without the possibility of parole, plus 211.5 years in prison if he is convicted of all 16 charges against him.

"Do you feel comfortable that this is the right decision for you?'' Superior Court Judge Marc C. Lemieux asked Caneiro.

"Absolutely,'' the 57-year-old Ocean Township man replied assertively.

The colloquy took place during a procedure known as plea cutoff, which is when all plea negotiations in a criminal case cease, and a defendant enunciates his intention to go to trial and reject the final plea offer extended to him.

At the conclusion of the colloquy, Lemieux set Caneiro's trial date for March 31.

Caneiro, who is charged with the murders of his brother, sister-in-law and young niece and nephew, said he rejected an offer by the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office to plead guilty to four counts of murder in exchange for a recommendation he be sentenced to life without the possibility of release on parole.

"You ultimately determined you didn't want to accept anything and you wanted to go to trial?'' Lemieux asked the defendant.

"Yes,'' Caneiro responded.

Lemieux then informed Caneiro he could face an additional 211.5 years in prison, in addition to life without parole, if he is convicted at trial of all 16 charges against him.

Caneiro is charged with four counts of murder, two counts of felony murder, two counts of aggravated arson, two counts of hindering his own apprehension and one count each of unlawful possession of a handgun, possession of a handgun for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a knife, possession of a knife for an unlawful purpose, theft, and misapplication of entrusted funds.

He is accused of killing his brother Keith, 50; sister-in-law Jennifer, 45; niece Sophia, 8; and nephew Jesse, 11, and then setting fire to his brother's Colts Neck mansion before returning to his own home and setting it ablaze to throw off investigators and make it look like the entire family was being targeted by violent thugs.

Authorities allege Caneiro committed the murders after Keith Caneiro discovered his brother was stealing from the businesses they co-owned.

The victims' bodies were discovered Nov. 21, 2018, by emergency workers responding to the fire at the Colts Neck mansion.

Keith Caneiro had been shot four times in the head and once in the back. Jennifer Caneiro and the two children were repeatedly stabbed and badly burned. Jennifer Caneiro also was shot in the head.

DNA determined to be a mixture from Paul and Sophia Caneiro, and another mixture to which Jesse was deemed to be a contributor, was later found on clothing recovered from the defendant's basement.

The defense has challenged that evidence, saying it resulted from the use of technology that has not been generally accepted in the scientific community.

The technology is a computer software program known as STRmix, which uses a method known as probabilistic genotyping to analyze complicated mixtures and smaller amounts of DNA that traditional methods often can't analyze.

The traditional method known as random match probability generates a statistic on the probability a match to a DNA profile can be found in the general population, while probabilistic genotyping generates a 'likelihood ratio'' that a person of interest can either be included or excluded as a contributor to a DNA mixture.

Before the plea cutoff colloquy, a final defense witness testified at the conclusion of a more than three-week pretrial hearing on the admissibility of that DNA evidence.

Much of DNA expert Keith Inman's testimony focused on problems with using probabilistic genotyping to analyze DNA from related individuals.

Inman, an expert in forensic DNA analysis and probabilistic genotyping, explained that the ratio generated by probabilistic genotyping refers to the chance a person can be included in a DNA sample compared to the possibility a random person from the general population can be included in that sample.

"It's that random part that's really important to consider,'' said Inman, who has been working in the field of DNA analysis since 1990 and now teaches at California State University.

"The complication with relatives is that you don't have random people,'' he said.

Inman said he saw nothing to indicate the STRmix software was tested by the two labs that used it to handle the DNA evidence in the Caneiro case to ensure it could accurately reach conclusions about DNA of related individuals.

"Would that be an issue if then the labs were to try to analyze mixtures of related contributors in their casework?'' Christopher Godin of the Public Defender's Office asked him.

"If they knew that was the case, I would step away from that immediately,'' Inman responded.

When asked why, Inman said, "Because we don't have a solution to what a good likelihood ratio would look like.''

Lemieux's decision will have statewide implications for the use of STRmix.

Attorneys are scheduled to sum up their arguments for and against the admissibility of the STRmix DNA evidence on Friday. [12/20/24].

The challenge to the STRmix software represents the first time a court in New Jersey will rule on its validity.
[....]
Lemieux will issue his decision sometime after prosecutors and defense attorneys submit briefs to accompany their oral arguments.

 

[Niner]

Friday, Dec. 20th:
*Motions Hearing [continued] (@ am 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 56) (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.
Previously charge with 2 counts of 2nd degree aggravated arson (in connection to fire set @ his Ocean Township home on the same day before fire in Colt’s Neck) & with 4 counts of murder, with possession of a firearm & possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose. Plead not guilty. Held without bond. Paul Caneiro allegedly stole $78K from Keith & Jennifer Caneiro. He stole the money sometime between January 2017 & the day of the murders.
Trial was set to begin on 6/3/24 was cancelled & reset on 3/31/25. (should take about 4 weeks)
Superior Court Judge Joseph W. Oxley, presiding. Monmouth County Prosecutor Deputy First assistant Christopher Decker. Public defender’s office defense attorney W. Michael Wicke.
For STRMix motion – Superior Court Judge Marc C. Lemieux presiding. Nicole Wallace, assistant Monmouth County prosecutor & Defense attorney Christopher Godin.
Court hearing from 11/28/18 thru 12/2/24 reference post #973 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...-colts-neck-20-nov-2018-arrest.400517/page-49
12/7/24 Update: A third software engineering expert testified for Paul Caneiro Friday that testing of the computer software that produced DNA results implicating him in the murders of four family members appeared inadequate, but he also said the computer program was "quite good'' and well-written. "Outside of the testing issue, I thought the code itself was pretty professional, to be honest with you, and I've seen plenty of unprofessional code,'' Paul Martin testified about a software known as STRmix, which is under a microscope at a pretrial hearing in the Caneiro murder case. "It was quite good,'' Martin, a software engineer with Florida-based consulting firm Harbor Experts, said of the STRmix computer code. The defense is expected to call its final witness when the hearing resumes Monday, 12/9/24. 12/9/24 Update: Next motions hearing continued on 12/16/24.
12/16/24 Update: Caneiro told a judge Monday he will go to trial in the murders of four family members & risk a possible sentence of life without the possibility of parole, plus 211.5 years in prison if he is convicted of all 16 charges against him. Superior Court Judge Marc C. Lemieux asked Caneiro some questions. The colloquy took place during a procedure known as plea cutoff, which is when all plea negotiations in a criminal case cease & a defendant enunciates his intention to go to trial & reject the final plea offer extended to him. At the conclusion of the colloquy, Lemieux set Caneiro's trial date for 3/31/25. Before the plea cutoff colloquy, a final defense witness testified at the conclusion of a more than three-week pretrial hearing on the admissibility of that DNA evidence. Much of DNA expert Keith Inman's testimony focused on problems with using probabilistic genotyping to analyze DNA from related individuals. Inman said he saw nothing to indicate the STRmix software was tested by the two labs that used it to handle the DNA evidence in the Caneiro case to ensure it could accurately reach conclusions about DNA of related individuals. Lemieux's decision will have statewide implications for the use of STRmix. Attorneys are scheduled to sum up their arguments for and against the admissibility of the STRmix DNA evidence on Friday, 12/20/24. The challenge to the STRmix software represents the first time a court in New Jersey will rule on its validity.

 

[cass523]

Upcoming trial in Caneiro family murders to spotlight alleged web of betrayal and greed​

12/30/2024
FREEHOLD - It was more than six years ago when the gruesome deaths of two young children and their parents in a raging inferno at their Colts Neck mansion unraveled a dumbfounding web of betrayal, greed and deceit, allegedly spun by a loved one.

Now, as 2025 is about to get underway, the gripping details of one of the Jersey Shore's most notorious murder cases in recent years will likely be exposed when Paul Caneiro stands trial on 16 charges related to the 2018 deaths of his brother's family.

Jury selection is scheduled to begin March 31 for a trial that is expected to last four to five weeks.

Upcoming trial in Caneiro family murders to spotlight alleged web of betrayal and greed

 

[Seattle1]

12/30/24

After concluding a weeks-long hearing on the admissibility of the DNA evidence on Dec. 13, Superior Court Judge Marc C. Lemieux, Monmouth County's assignment judge, said he will issue a ruling on it by the end of February.

The hearing on the DNA evidence was the last hurdle that needed to be cleared before a trial could be scheduled. Shutdown of the courts during the COVID-19 pandemic also contributed to the years long delay in bringing the case to trial.

Christopher Decker, deputy first assistant Monmouth County prosecutor, and Assistant Prosecutor Nicole Wallace will present the state's case against Caneiro when it comes to trial. The defendant will be represented by Michael Wicke and Victoria Howard of the Public Defender's Office.

@Niner

12/30 - Asbury Park Press

x.com

x.com

 

[Niner]

Caneiro's quadruple murder trial pushed back to May as new attorney joins his defense

The case against Paul Caneiro in the murders of his brother, sister-in-law, niece and nephew is approaching seven years old, without a trial.

eu.app.com

Jan. 25, 2025

FREEHOLD - Despite an edict there be no more delays in bringing Paul Caneiro to trial in the murders of four family members, Monmouth County's top judge Friday adjourned the case for almost two months because the defendant now has a new lead attorney.

Superior Court Judge Marc C. Lemieux, the county's assignment judge, had previously set March 31 as the date jury selection would begin for the 58-year-old Ocean Township man's trial in the murders of his brother, sister-in-law and the couple's two young children in 2018.

But as a result of reassignments in the Public Defender's Office in Monmouth County, a new attorney was recently assigned as Caneiro's lead counsel, and she went before Lemieux Friday to ask that the trial be postponed.
[.....]
The judge said jury selection for Caneiro's trial will now start on May 19, and testimony will begin on June 2.


More in the article. But I wished they had given a next court hearing date....
So - they were in Court on last Friday, 1/24/25 - so I will move him there in my notes.

 

[LittleSeaTree]

Upcoming trial in Caneiro family murders to spotlight alleged web of betrayal and greed​

12/30/2024
FREEHOLD - It was more than six years ago when the gruesome deaths of two young children and their parents in a raging inferno at their Colts Neck mansion unraveled a dumbfounding web of betrayal, greed and deceit, allegedly spun by a loved one.

Now, as 2025 is about to get underway, the gripping details of one of the Jersey Shore's most notorious murder cases in recent years will likely be exposed when Paul Caneiro stands trial on 16 charges related to the 2018 deaths of his brother's family.

Jury selection is scheduled to begin March 31 for a trial that is expected to last four to five weeks.

Upcoming trial in Caneiro family murders to spotlight alleged web of betrayal and greed

I cannot believe it’s been 6 years!

 

[Mica]

Caneiro's quadruple murder trial pushed back to May as new attorney joins his defense

The case against Paul Caneiro in the murders of his brother, sister-in-law, niece and nephew is approaching seven years old, without a trial.

eu.app.com

Jan. 25, 2025

FREEHOLD - Despite an edict there be no more delays in bringing Paul Caneiro to trial in the murders of four family members, Monmouth County's top judge Friday adjourned the case for almost two months because the defendant now has a new lead attorney.

Superior Court Judge Marc C. Lemieux, the county's assignment judge, had previously set March 31 as the date jury selection would begin for the 58-year-old Ocean Township man's trial in the murders of his brother, sister-in-law and the couple's two young children in 2018.

But as a result of reassignments in the Public Defender's Office in Monmouth County, a new attorney was recently assigned as Caneiro's lead counsel, and she went before Lemieux Friday to ask that the trial be postponed.
[.....]
The judge said jury selection for Caneiro's trial will now start on May 19, and testimony will begin on June 2.


More in the article. But I wished they had given a next court hearing date....
So - they were in Court on last Friday, 1/24/25 - so I will move him there in my notes.

Geez, another delay!