A Virginia jury will reconvene Monday to continue deliberations in the double-murder trial of Brendan Banfield, accused of plotting with the family's au pair to kill his wife, Christine Banfield, and Joseph Ryan in February 2023. Prosecutors say Banfield and Juliana Peres Magalhães created fake fetish-site profiles to lure Ryan and then staged the scene; Peres Magalhães has testified she assisted and later agreed to cooperate in exchange for a recommendation of time served. Banfield admits an affair but denies any murder plot; forensic evidence has not shown his DNA on the knife. Jurors must weigh his testimony against Peres Magalhães's account, with no lesser charges offered.
Jury To Resume Deliberations Monday In Brendan Banfield Double-Murder Trial Over Alleged 'Catfish' Scheme
Brendan Banfield looks on during his double-murder trial in Fairfax County Circuit Court on January 14 in Fairfax, Virginia. - Tom Brenner/Pool/AP
A jury in Virginia will resume deliberations Monday in the double-murder trial of Brendan Banfield, who prosecutors say plotted with the family's Brazilian au pair to kill his wife, Christine Banfield, and another man, Joseph Ryan, on Feb. 24, 2023.
Prosecution's Case
Prosecutors allege Banfield and Juliana Peres Magalhães set up fake profiles on a fetish website, impersonating Christine to lure Joseph Ryan to the Banfield home for what was presented as a consensual but violent sexual encounter. The prosecution says Banfield stabbed his wife, shot Ryan when he intervened, then staged the scene to make Ryan appear to be the attacker.
"They created accounts. They chatted up potential victims. They got Joe Ryan into the house, and then they shot him. Brendan stabbed Christine, let her bleed out on the floor, and then dripped, smeared and wiped her blood on Joseph Ryan's body to make it look like he had attacked Christine," prosecutor Jenna Sands told jurors in closing arguments.
Defense's Case
Banfield has pleaded not guilty. He testified that he had an extramarital relationship with Peres Magalhães beginning in August 2022 but denied any plan to kill his wife. Defense attorney John Carroll has criticized the investigation, accused prosecutors of relying on a tainted witness, and argued the au pair fabricated her account to secure a plea deal.
"Juliana made it up. She told the Commonwealth what they wanted to hear... She told this lie to secure herself a deal that benefited her," Carroll said during closing arguments.
Key Testimony And Evidence
Peres Magalhães, who was arrested in October 2023 and later agreed to cooperate with prosecutors in exchange for a recommendation of time served, testified she helped carry out the alleged plan and that she saw Banfield stab his wife and stage the scene. The prosecution's case depends heavily on her testimony.
Forensic testing did not recover Brendan Banfield's DNA on the knife used to fatally stab Christine; analysts recovered DNA only from Christine and Joseph Ryan. Prosecutors point to digital and circumstantial evidence they say links Banfield and Peres Magalhães to the fake profiles and the alleged plot, while the defense disputes those interpretations and highlights the lack of forensic evidence tying Banfield to the knife.
Banfield's Account
Banfield, an armed IRS special agent, testified he left the house for an anticipated work meeting and returned after Peres Magalhães called to say she saw a stranger inside. He said he found Ryan attacking his wife, identified himself as law enforcement, and shot Ryan after Ryan allegedly stabbed Christine repeatedly. Banfield says he never instructed the au pair to retrieve or fire his personal firearm.
What Comes Next
The 12-member jury began deliberations midday Friday but did not reach a unanimous verdict before the weekend. They will resume Monday morning and must decide whether prosecutors have proven aggravated murder beyond a reasonable doubt. Prosecutors and defense counsel have agreed not to present lesser homicide charges for the jury's consideration.
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