Defense Ready For More Possible Charges In New Jersey Slaying

Even as the investigation into a horrific New Jersey quadruple murder turns to the solution provider business and the financial dealings that prosecutors said drove brother to kill brother, a lawyer for the accused told CRN he’s prepared to handle whatever charges may result.

“Its going to be us,” said Mitchell Ansell, of Ansell, Grimm, and Aaron, P.C. “Its not going to be anyone else handling his defense.”

His client Paul Caneiro, 51, of Ocean, N.J. is accused of four counts of first-degree murder for allegedly shooting his brother, and sister in law and butchering his niece and nephew with a knife early Thanksgiving morning, in a crime that shocked seasoned lawmen with its brutality, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni said.

In addition to the killings, Caneiro set fire to his brother’s house and then drove 10 miles to his own home, which he also set ablaze, prosecutors said. Gramiccioni also charged Caneiro with two counts of aggravated arson for those fires.

Gramiccioni, a former federal prosecutor, said he believes the motive for the crime lies in the businesses the brothers operated. He told reporters Friday that portion of the investigation is underway, but it is still in its early stages and he could not share more information. A call to the office after hours was not immediately returned.

According to his LinkedIn page, Keith Caneiro held numerous technology certifications. He stated that the business he began in 1987 as Jay Martin Consulting Inc. -- which later became Square One -- has won awards and done business with Citigroup, JPMorgan Chase, Thompson-Reuters, Republic National Bank, Equico, FCB Leber Katz Partners, JWThompson, Leo Burnett, and Lucent Technologies, among others.

At the same Asbury Park, N.J. address, the brothers ran EcoStar Pest Management. Web sites for both businesses appear to be down and phones ring unanswered.

“Paul Caneiro is an innocent man who stands wrongfully accused by the State of New Jersey,” his lawyers said in a statement. “Paul’s expectations are that when this case is over he will be completely vindicated and the truth will come out.”

At his arraignment Friday on the murder charges, Paul Caneiro waived his right to fight detention and was held without the possibility of release, pending trial. His next court date is Jan. 30. Each murder charge carries a possible sentence of 30 years to life.

Keith, Jennifer, Jessie, and Sophia Caneiro were buried on Sunday. Their surviving family members released a statement saying they are “grateful for the outpouring of love” and support they have received from family and the community.