A Virginia man accused of murdering his wife and another man in a twisted scheme to be with his family's au pair broke down in tears as the frantic 911 call from the night of the killings was played in court.
Emotional Breakdown in Fairfax County Court
Brendan Banfield was overcome with emotion during a hearing at Fairfax County Court on Tuesday. The former IRS officer stared down at the desk before him as the recording of his au pair lover, Juliana Peres Magalhães, desperately asking a 911 operator for help began to play.
Prosecutors allege that Banfield, 37, murdered his wife Christine and a 39-year-old stranger, Joseph Ryan, on February 24, 2023. They claim the killings were part of a calculated plot to allow Banfield to run away with the family's 25-year-old Brazilian nanny.
A Staged Scene and a BDSM Website Lure
The disturbing events unfolded at the Banfields' home in Herndon. Christine Banfield was found in her bedroom suffering from fatal stab wounds. Joseph Ryan was discovered shot dead beside her.
According to the prosecution, Magalhães and Banfield worked together to lure Ryan to the home. They allegedly used a fake profile on a BDSM website to arrange a meeting, then staged the scene to make it appear Ryan had killed Christine before being shot himself.
During the nearly nine-minute 911 call, Banfield's voice was heard for the first time. 'There's somebody here I shot him (Ryan), but he stabbed her (Christine),' he stated, according to an NBC report. He added that his wife had severe neck injuries and was bleeding profusely, asking the operator what he should do.
As the call played in the courtroom, Banfield rubbed tears from his eyes, his gaze locked on the table.
A Secret Affair and a Sweetheart Deal
Investigators grew suspicious when Banfield and Magalhães failed to disclose their romantic relationship during initial interviews. Police later uncovered evidence of a secret lovers' getaway. Notably, just eight months after the murders, Magalhães had moved into the main bedroom of the family home.
Evidence presented included a framed photo of the pair on her nightstand and her clothes hanging in Christine Banfield's closet.
Prosecutor Jenna Sands told the court, 'We're here today because Brendan Banfield... killed his wife, Christine Banfield, and another man, named Joseph Ryan. Those two individuals had no reason to know each other but for the plotting and planning of Brendan Banfield.'
Magalhães has since pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of manslaughter in exchange for her cooperation in the prosecution of Banfield. This plea deal has become a focal point for the defence.
Banfield's lawyer, John Carroll, sought to undermine her testimony in his opening statement, claiming, 'The whole reason she was arrested was to flip her against my client.' He admitted to the affair but insisted there was more to the story.
In addition to four charges of aggravated murder and firearm offenses, Banfield also faces child abuse and neglect charges. His four-year-old daughter was home at the time of the alleged murders. Magalhães told police she had taken the child to the zoo but returned after forgetting their lunches.
The trial of Brendan Banfield continues.
