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Jurors in Brendan Banfield’s aggravated murder trial saw photos Thursday documenting major changes inside his Fairfax County home after the February 2023 killings of his wife, Christine Banfield, and Joseph Ryan.
The images showed that clothing and photographs belonging to the family’s au pair, Juliana Peres Magalhães, had been moved into the master bedroom. New flooring and bedroom furniture had also been installed, while pictures of Brendan and Christine Banfield had been replaced by photos of Brendan Banfield and Magalhães.
Fairfax County police Sgt. Kenner Fortner, who photographed the home on the day of the killings, compared those images with pictures he took when he returned months later.
Prosecutors presented the changes as evidence of an alleged affair between Banfield and Magalhães that they say began before the deaths. They contend the pair devised a plan to kill Christine Banfield and Ryan.
According to prosecutors, Ryan was drawn to the home through an account created in Christine Banfield’s name on a fetish website.
Window Upgrade Draws Scrutiny
A window salesman who worked with the Banfields several months before the killings also testified. He said an order for double-pane windows was changed to triple-pane windows before installation.
The defense questioned whether reducing noise from Dulles International Airport or a nearby firehouse could have motivated the upgrade. Salesman Matthew Niederriter said triple-pane windows offer protection beyond simply shielding a home from sunlight.
Magalhães testified earlier in the week that Brendan Banfield upgraded the windows to make the house more soundproof in preparation for the killings.
An employee of a shooting range told jurors that Banfield purchased a gun there in the months before the deaths. Records also listed Banfield and Magalhães as visitors to the range in late 2022.
Forensic Evidence Presented
Cara McCarthy, a forensic expert with the Virginia Department of Forensic Science, testified that two Glock handguns seized from the home were operational.
A DNA expert said Christine Banfield’s DNA was detected on Brendan Banfield’s jeans and Magalhães’ shoes. Ryan’s blood was found on a wall and the carpet.
Defense attorneys focused their questions on the handling of the evidence, including whether investigators followed proper collection procedures.
Magalhães previously admitted helping plan the attack and pleaded guilty to manslaughter. Her sentencing will take place after Banfield’s trial concludes.
The trial is scheduled to resume Tuesday.