US EditionBrendan Banfield Expected to Testify in His Own Defense in Au Pair Affair Double-Murder Trial
Defense disputes prosecution's catfishing claim, highlighting lack of digital and blood-spatter evidence and alleging false testimony in Fairfax double-murder case.
- On Thursday, the defense resumed its case in Fairfax County Circuit Court, challenging police and prosecutors' evidence in the February 2023 deaths of Christine Banfield and Joseph Ryan.
- Defense attorneys note that digital forensics showed Christine Banfield controlled her devices, and Brendan Miller testified Wednesday he was asked to re-review his findings after Peres Magalhães changed her story.
- Court testimony showed conflicting forensic readings Wednesday as Iris Dalley Graff and LeeAnn Singley disagreed on bloodstain patterns; laboratory DNA analysis found Christine Banfield's and Joseph Ryan's DNA, while police body-worn camera footage revealed Banfield's emotional reaction and blood washing without evidence preservation.
- Judge Penney Azcarate denied the defense's dismissal motion as Brendan Banfield pleaded not guilty and faces aggravated murder charges with a possible life sentence; Defense attorney John Carroll said Banfield intends to testify, which could prompt lesser charges.
- With a major snowstorm looming, jurors agreed to sit Friday to finish testimony, while multiple Fairfax County Police Department investigators were transferred amid internal disputes and extensive media livestreaming.
13 Articles
13 Articles
Defense continues its case in au pair affair murder trial
What to KnowBrendan Banfield, a former IRS officer, is accused of killing his wife, Christine Banfield, and a stranger, Joseph Ryan, at the Banfields’ home in Fairfax County, Virginia.Prosecutors say the killings were part of a calculated plan so Brendan could get Christine out of the picture and start a new life with his family’s au pair, Juliana Peres Magalhães.Peres Magalhães pleaded guilty to manslaughter for her role and agreed to cooperate…
COURTROOM INSIDER | Tears, police body cam & defense witnesses take stand in Brendan Banfield trial
Tonight on “Courtroom Insider,” the defense calls five witnesses to the stand in the Brendan Banfield murder trial. Police body camera video is played for the jury, Banfield wipes tears from his eyes and experts testify about blood and digital forensics. Watch in the video player above.The post COURTROOM INSIDER | Tears, police body cam & defense witnesses take stand in Brendan Banfield trial appeared first on East Idaho News.
Defense tries to poke holes in au pair’s confession in double murder
On the first day of the defense’s arguments in Fairfax County Circuit Court on Wednesday, the attorneys of Brendan Banfield started by attempting to have the entire case thrown out, arguing the prosecution knowingly presented false testimony against his client. Banfield is charged with aggravated murder in the 2023 deaths of his wife Christine Banfield and another man, Joseph Ryan. Prosecutors say Brendan killed them both as part of an elaborate…
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