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The jury in Northern Virginia remains engaged in deliberations concerning Brendan Banfield, who stands accused of the murder of his wife, Christine Banfield, and Joseph Ryan, a man alleged to have been lured to the couple’s home in Reston.
According to FOX 5 DC, jurors reconvened at the Fairfax court on Monday morning. Banfield is purported to have conspired with the family’s au pair, Peres Magalhães, to kill his wife in order to start a new life with her.
CrimeOnline previously reported that Magalhães, a Brazilian national, departed from Banfield’s residence around 7:30 a.m. on February 24, 2023, taking the couple’s 4-year-old daughter with her.
After heading to the National Zoo in D.C. with the child, she returned to the home, stating she had forgotten their packed lunches. Upon her return, Magalhães noticed an unfamiliar vehicle and a man at the property, prompting her to contact Brendan Banfield.
Magalhães claimed she then entered the house and took refuge in the basement with the child, while Banfield arrived at the scene and proceeded to the master bedroom suite.
Police later found Christine with seven stab wounds to her neck. Ryan had been fatally shot.
Magalhães initially denied involvement. In 2024, she pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter, in connection with Ryan’s death, and agreed to testify against the defendant as part of a plea deal.
The prosecution argued that Magalhães and Banfield had been having an affair. Magalhães testified that they had a “plan to get rid of” his wife and began setting up accounts in Christine’s name on sexual fetish sites.
Defense attorney John Carroll, however, argued that the story had been fabricated.
“Juliana made it up,” Carroll said. “She told the commonwealth what they wanted to hear and without question they just took it as their story.”
Carroll also argued that Banfield acted in self-defense after being attacked by Joseph Ryan in the bedroom. Ryan had allegedly been lured to the home via the fake fetish website.
The prosecution argued that Banfield feared losing the au pair, and concocted a plan to frame Ryan.
“He executed his plan to murder his wife and an innocent stranger. He was in love with Juliana. He can pretend this was a fling, an affair. He had them before, no big deal. He was in love with Juliana. He was afraid of losing her,” Fairfax County Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Jenna Sands stated.
“He needed to get rid of his wife, so that they could be together. Mr. Banfield gave you zero explanation for any of this evidence. They have provided no explanation for Christine’s blood smeared on the right hand of Joe Ryan, leaving voids between the fingers.”
In addition to murder, Banfield is facing charges that include:
- Child abuse
- Child cruelty
- Firearms offenses
Jurors began their deliberations on Friday. Check back for updates.
[Feature Photo: Center: Christine Banfield/family handout. Left, Brendan Banfield and right, Juliana Peres Magalhaes/Fairfax County Police Department]