DNA Evidence Hearing In Colts Neck Family Murders Case Begins: Report

COLTS NECK, NJ — A pretrial hearing on whether the state will be allowed to use DNA evidence in the Colts Neck family murders case is underway, according to an Asbury Park Press report.

Paul Caneiro, 57, of Ocean Township, is accused of killing his brother, his brother’s wife, and their two children. Caneiro has been awaiting trial since 2018 due to previous challenges on the use of DNA evidence, which led to delays in the hearing taking place.

Superior Court Judge Marc Lemieux in Monmouth County began hearing testimony Tuesday to determine if DNA evidence obtained from a newer, high-tech method can be used in the case, the report said. Read more here.

Caniero’s brother Keith, Keith’s wife Jennifer and their two children were found dead at Keith’s home in Colts Neck on Nov. 20, 2018, after a fire broke out at their house. When authorities arrived on the scene, they found that Keith Caneiro had been shot to death.

The fire at Keith’s home was discovered a few hours after two fires were started at Paul Caneiro’s home at 27 Tilton Drive in Ocean Township. Paul Caneiro, his wife Susan, and their two daughters all escaped uninjured from the fire.

On Nov. 21, 2018, Paul Caneiro was taken into custody by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and accused of setting his own home on fire.

He would later be charged with four counts of first-degree murder and two counts of first-degree felony murder amongst other charges for the deaths of his brother and his brother’s family.

Christopher Swendeman, a spokesman for the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, said Lemieux is expecting jury selection to begin in late February or early March 2025.

If Caneiro is found guilty during his trial, he could face life in prison, as each murder charge against him carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment without parole. In addition, felony murder carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment subject to the “No Early Release Act.”

Related:

• Trial Date For Colts Neck Family Murders Case To Be Set In November
• The Colts Neck Quadruple Murder: A Timeline Of Events
• Colts Neck Fire Was Quadruple Homicide, Family 'Targeted:' MCPO
• Brother's Lawyer In Colts Neck Murders: 'He's Devastated'
• 20 Stunning New Allegations In Colts Neck Caneiro Murder Case