NEW JERSEY MAN CONVICTED OF MURDERING BROTHER AND FAMILY, THEN SETTING FIRES TO HIDE CRIME. (PHOTO).

 New Jersey man convicted of murdering brother and family, then setting fires to hide crime

A New Jersey man was convicted Friday of murdering four relatives and setting fires in an attempt to cover up the crimes, authorities said. Paul Caneiro, 59, was found guilty on four counts of murder, two counts of aggravated arson, and two weapons charges in the 2018 killings of his brother, Keith Caneiro, 50; Keith’s wife, Jennifer, 45; and their two children. A Monmouth County jury reached the verdict after about five hours of deliberation. Caneiro faces a potential life sentence at his May 12 sentencing.

Prosecutors said the killings stemmed from a business dispute after Keith discovered Paul was stealing money from their shared businesses and from him personally. Paul Caneiro allegedly ambushed his brother’s family while they slept, shot and stabbed them, and then set fire to their Colts Neck mansion as well as his own Ocean Township home to obscure the murders. Emergency crews responded to fires at both residences on Nov. 20, 2018. Keith Caneiro was found dead outside his home, while Jennifer and their children, 11-year-old Jesse and 8-year-old Sophia, were found inside, all fatally wounded. Caneiro’s defense argued he had no motive to harm his family and suggested other potential suspects, including a third Caneiro brother and two men seen near the scene, but prosecutors said evidence clearly pointed to Paul Caneiro as the sole perpetrator.