Lawyer For Accused Colts Neck Killer: He Will Be Vindicated

COLTS NECK, NJ — The former prosecutor-turned-defense-lawyer for accused murderer Paul Caneiro came out slinging Thursday night against Monmouth County prosecutor Chris Gramiccioni, telling the county's top lawmaker to "stop trying this case in the media," and that Paul "loved Jennifer as if she was his own sister."

Paul is accused of shooting his brother, shooting and stabbing his sister-in-law, Jennifer, and brutally stabbing their two children, in a feud that was over money in the two businesses the brothers ran together.

All lies, his lawyer says.

"From the moment Paul Caneiro was arrested, he has asserted his innocence in that he had absolutely nothing to do with these horrific crimes," said Caneiro's lawyer, Bob Honecker. "Paul continues to maintain his innocence today."

Read: Motive Was Financial In Colts Neck Murders, Prosecutor Says

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"Paul's family means more to him than anything else in this world. Paul's brother Keith and his family similarly were everything to Paul. He worked with his brother Keith for 31 years and he loved his sister-in-law as if she was his sister. Paul Caneiro always participated in the lives of Jesse and Sophia, from watching them at their various events at school and spending time with them frequently. Paul Caneiro just couldn't say no to his family."

The Caneiro brothers owned a small website development company, Square One, and a pest control business, EcoStar Pest Management, in Asbury Park. The prosecutor said he has a team of forensic accountants pouring over the books of those two businesses, as well as the Caneiro brothers' private finances.

The defense lawyer, who used to work for the county prosecutor before he turned to the private sector, also said Gramiccioni has failed to show sufficient motive for the crimes, and implied the Caneiros' real killer remains out there.

"There is absolutely no reason in the world for Paul Caneiro to have committed the crimes he is alleged to have committed. He would never hurt any member of his family. The process today can begin for a search for the truth and who committed these horrendous acts," Honecker said.

"Paul Caneiro does not intend to try this case in the media and we respect the decision of the Monmouth County Prosecutor's office to do the same," his lawyer added, in a jab to the many press conferences the county prosecutor has held on this matter. "Paul Caneiro is an innocent man who stands wrongfully accused by the State of New Jersey. Paul's expectations are when this case is over he will be completely vindicated and the truth will come out."

Although New Jersey abolished the death sentence, Gramiccioni said today he believes this is a case worthy of capital punishment.

Photo provided by Monmouth County prosecutor of Paul Caneiro, believed to be his driver's license photo.