Brendan Banfield, an IRS investigator, told jurors he found his wife, Christine Banfield, being attacked in the couple's Virginia home on Feb. 24, 2023, and shot Joseph Ryan, whom he says was stabbing her. Prosecutors allege Banfield instead conspired with the family au pair, Juliana Peres Magalhães, to lure Ryan to the house by impersonating Christine online and then staged the scene to make Ryan appear to be the killer.
Prosecution's Case
Over four days of testimony, prosecutors presented a theory that Banfield and Peres Magalhães used a fetish website to impersonate Christine and arrange a consensual violent encounter that would bring Ryan to the home. Prosecutors say the goal was to frame Ryan for Christine's death and to justify Banfield's use of deadly force. Peres Magalhães was arrested in October 2023, later agreed to cooperate with prosecutors in exchange for a recommendation of time served, and testified that Banfield staged the scene to 'get rid' of his wife.
Juliana Peres Magalhães testifies during the double-murder trial for Brendan Banfield on January 14. - Tom Brenner/Pool/AP
Banfield's Testimony
Banfield admitted to an extramarital affair with Peres Magalhães that began in August 2022 but denied any plot to kill his wife. He testified he returned home after his wife's phone went straight to voicemail, entered quietly through the basement and, upon reaching the bedroom, saw Ryan kneeling over Christine. Banfield said he announced himself as 'police,' drew his service weapon and watched Ryan stab Christine before firing one shot that struck Ryan in the head.
Disputed Facts and Evidence
Key points at issue include: forensic findings, witness testimony and the timeline of events. Forensic testing did not detect Banfield's DNA on the knife used to stab Christine; analysts recovered DNA from Christine and Joseph Ryan only. Investigators and the defense disagree about whether digital evidence supports the prosecution's claim that accounts posing as Christine were used to lure Ryan.
Brendan Banfield testifies in his own defense on Wednesday, in this screengrab taken from a video. - Pool
Banfield also testified he had an important work meeting the morning of the killings that could have led to a promotion, but IRS Special Agent Thomas Patrick Smith told prosecutors he had no such meeting scheduled and that any relevant supervisors were out of the area, contradicting Banfield's account.
Aftermath and Cooperating Witness
Peres Magalhães testified that Banfield staged evidence, including allegedly moving Ryan's body and transferring Christine's blood onto Ryan. The defense argues Peres Magalhães was offered a way out in exchange for a false account; the prosecution presented her cooperation as truthful and corroborated by other evidence. The jury previously heard audio of the 911 call and saw body-worn camera footage showing Banfield kneeling over his wife applying pressure to her wounds.
What Comes Next
Closing arguments are scheduled for Friday morning, after which the jury will likely begin deliberations. Banfield faces aggravated murder charges that carry a possible life sentence if convicted. The case turns largely on competing narratives about motive, opportunity, digital evidence and the credibility of Peres Magalhães' account.
Note: This article presents allegations and testimony heard at trial. Banfield has pleaded not guilty. The jury's verdict will determine criminal responsibility.
