In a dramatic turn in a Virginia double-murder trial, the former au pair for the Banfield family has taken the stand to testify against her ex-lover, Brendan Banfield, stating that her decision to cooperate with prosecutors stemmed from overwhelming guilt over her involvement in the killings. Juliana Peres Magalhães detailed a lurid plot allegedly masterminded by Banfield to kill his wife and frame a stranger, revealing how the affair between them escalated into a deadly scheme.
Brendan Banfield, a former IRS agent, is charged with aggravated murder in the February 2023 deaths of his wife, Christine Banfield, and Joseph Ryan, a man lured to the family’s Reston home. Prosecutors assert that Banfield and Magalhães, who was working as an au pair, conspired to carry out the murders to avoid a costly divorce and custody battle, allowing them to be together.
According to Magalhães’ testimony, the affair began in August 2022, and by October, Banfield had devised a plan to “get rid of” his wife. They created a fake profile on a fetish dating website, posing as Christine, to attract a man willing to participate in a rape fantasy. Joseph Ryan was selected and instructed to bring a knife and restraints to the encounter.
On the day of the killings, February 24, 2023, Magalhães said she and Banfield staged the scene to make it appear as if Ryan had broken in and attacked Christine. After returning to the house, Magalhães witnessed Banfield shoot Ryan and then repeatedly stab his wife in the neck. She admitted to firing a shot at Ryan herself, though her account has varied slightly over time.
Magalhães explained that she initially withheld the truth out of loyalty to Banfield, but growing guilt and pressure from authorities led her to accept a plea deal. She pleaded guilty to manslaughter in Ryan’s death and agreed to testify against Banfield in exchange for a recommended sentence of time served. Her testimony highlighted her emotional turmoil and the legal manipulations she faced while in custody.
The defense has aggressively challenged Magalhães’ credibility, pointing to inconsistencies in her statements and her financial incentives, including negotiations with media companies for her story. Defense attorney John Carroll argued that prosecutors “flipped” Magalhães when she was vulnerable, coercing her into lying to secure a conviction against Banfield.
The trial, which began on January 13, 2026, is expected to last four weeks, with further testimony from detectives and forensic experts. Cameras in the courtroom have broadcast the proceedings, drawing public attention to the sordid details of the case. The outcome hinges largely on whether jurors find Magalhães’ account believable or view her as a compromised witness seeking leniency.
As the prosecution continues to present its case, the trial underscores the complexities of extramarital affairs turning violent and the legal strategies employed in high-stakes criminal defenses. The community watches closely as justice is sought for the victims, with the final verdict anticipated to bring closure to a tragic and meticulously planned crime.
