Home / Crime and Justice / Justice for Sophia: Caneiro Guilty in Family Murders
Justice for Sophia: Caneiro Guilty in Family Murders
14 Feb
Summary
- Paul Caneiro was found guilty of murdering his brother's family.
- Jurors convicted him on four counts of murder and related charges.
- Sentencing is scheduled for May 12, with a new trial motion deadline of Feb. 23.
Paul Caneiro was convicted by a jury for the 2018 murders of his brother Keith, sister-in-law Jennifer, and their children, Jesse and Sophia. The guilty verdicts were returned after less than five hours of deliberation by the Monmouth County jury. Friends of the young victims expressed profound relief and emotional closure.
Ripley Burgess and Sophie Winkelmann, childhood friends of Sophia Caneiro, shared their long wait for justice, remembering shared childhood moments. Asher Burgess, a friend of Jesse Caneiro, recalled their shared activities and Jesse's interest in history and video games.
Jennifer Winkelmann, Sophia's Girl Scout leader, described her as a spirited child. Cortni Burgess, mother of Asher and Ripley, commended the prosecution for their compassionate handling of the case, giving a voice to the victims.
Paul Caneiro is scheduled for sentencing on May 12. The defense has until February 23 to file a motion for a new trial, with supporting documents due in March and a potential hearing on April 26.
