Virginia Man’s Trial Opens in Alleged Murder Plot With Au Pair

A Virginia man has gone on trial this week accused of orchestrating the deaths of his wife and another man in a scheme that prosecutors say involved creating fake social media profiles and luring a stranger to the family home. Brendan Banfield, 40, denies the charges against him, which include aggravated murder and child cruelty. The alleged murders took place in February 2023 at the family's home in Fairfax County. His daughter was in the house at the time of the killings.

Background

Banfield was having an affair with Juliana Peres Magalhaes, the family's 25-year-old Brazilian au pair. According to prosecutors, the two were in love, but Banfield did not want a divorce because he feared losing custody of his daughter or having to share custody with his wife, Christine Banfield.

The prosecution says that instead of pursuing a divorce, Banfield and Magalhaes devised a plan to kill Christine. They allegedly created a fake profile of Christine on a social media site designed for sexual fetishes. Using this false profile, they arranged to meet with Joseph Ryan, a stranger, at the Banfield home.

"Brendan revealed his desire to get rid of Christine," the lead prosecutor told the court during opening statements.

Ryan was told he would be participating in an arranged rape fantasy and was instructed not to stop even if the woman called for help. Prosecutors say this instruction was meant to ensure Ryan would not flee when the violence began.

Key Details

The Alleged Crime

Prosecutors laid out a detailed account of what they say happened on the morning of the murders. According to the prosecution's opening statements, Banfield entered the bedroom where Ryan was present and shot him in the head. He then picked up a knife that Ryan had brought with him and stabbed Christine repeatedly in the neck. Prosecutors say Banfield then directed Magalhaes to shoot Ryan a second time, with the bullet entering Ryan's chest as Christine was dead or dying.

Banfield's defense team disputes this account. His lawyer, John Carroll, told the court that digital forensics would show that Christine Banfield directly engaged with Ryan on the fetish website herself. Carroll acknowledged that Banfield and Magalhaes were having an affair but said "there's an awful lot more to look for" in the case.

The Au Pair's Role

Magalhaes has pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of manslaughter for her role in the alleged murder plot. As part of a plea agreement, she has agreed to testify against Banfield. In exchange for her guilty plea to manslaughter and her testimony, she will be released from custody due to time already served and will be deported to Brazil.

The defense has raised questions about Magalhaes' credibility. Carroll told the court that Magalhaes maintained her innocence for a year before changing her story in exchange for the prosecution deal. He suggested that she was arrested specifically to pressure her into testifying against Banfield.

The Jury

A jury of nine men and seven women was selected on Monday, with four serving as alternates. During jury selection, potential jurors were asked about their experiences with law enforcement and the criminal justice system. The prosecution plans to call 18 witnesses, most of whom are law enforcement officers and first responders involved in the case. Magalhaes is also listed as a witness who will testify during the trial.

What This Means

The trial is expected to last four weeks, with proceedings continuing through early February. Banfield faces life in prison if convicted of murder. He also faces charges of child abuse and child cruelty related to his daughter being in the home during the alleged murders.

The case has drawn significant attention, with prosecutors presenting what they describe as an elaborate and premeditated plot. The defense's strategy remains unclear, though Carroll's opening statements suggest they may focus on creating reasonable doubt about the prosecution's version of events rather than presenting an alternative narrative.

The trial represents a critical moment for both sides. Prosecutors must prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt, while the defense must convince the jury that the evidence does not support the charges. The testimony of Magalhaes, the au pair who was in the home at the time, will likely be central to the case.