Trial begins for man accused of murdering brother, wife and kids in NJ
NEW JERSEY (WABC) -- The trial is underway for a man accused of murdering his brother and his brother's entire family inside their home in Colts Neck, New Jersey, and then setting the home on fire.
Prosecutors say it all comes down to money, part of an insurance fraud scheme.
But attorneys for the defendant, Paul Caneiro, suggested there's another suspect in the 2018 murders who police never questioned.
The defense suggests that police never focused on another potential suspect, Paul and Keith's other brother, Cory, who was not in court for Monday's opening statement.
"Paul's financial situation was a house of cards, but what you'll also hear during this trial was that Cory Caneiro's situation was even worse," said Monika Mastellone, defense attorney.
The murders of Keith Caneiro and his family were shocking. Monday, prosecutors shared more details about the horrific nature of the crimes and the motive behind the killing of Keith, his wife, and their two children, 11-year-old Jesse and 8-year-old Sophia.
Opening statements gave the jury a roadmap of allegations made against the victims' brother, Paul Caneiro, who is accused of quadruple murder and setting his brother's home in Colts Neck on fire.
"The shock and terror of having their home invaded, and in the dark, the defendant hunted them down," said Nicole Wallace, prosecution attorney.
This took place in the early morning hours of November 20, 2018.
Prosecutors claim that after the murders, Paul set his own house on fire in Ocean Township, New Jersey, as a way to cover up the crimes by burning evidence and making authorities believe he too was a victim.
Hours later, authorities learned about the earlier murders of Paul's brother and family. That's when they started to investigate Paul as a possible suspect.
Prosecutors allege this was all about a dispute over money. The brothers had two businesses together, but things fractured over an insurance policy worth $3 million.
"It was this, the entanglement of their finances, that was the cause of some discord between the brothers and really the crux of the defendant's motive," Wallace said.
The defense agreed the crime was horrible, but said that Paul loved Keith and his family, claiming Paul was not responsible for the murders or the two separate fires.
"Paul Caneiro did not do this, he did not commit these crimes, he did not hurt anyone, he did not harm anyone, he did not set any house on fire," Mastellone said.
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