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Prosecutors rested their case Tuesday against Brendan Banfield after an expert testified that blood found on Joseph Ryan’s arm was consistent with drops falling from above—a detail the prosecution says supports its claim that the Fairfax County crime scene was staged.

Banfield is charged with aggravated murder in the February 2023 deaths of his wife, Christine Banfield, and Ryan. Prosecutors allege he devised a plan with the family’s au pair, Juliana Peres Magalhães, to kill Christine and frame Ryan for the crime.

Magalhães, who was having an affair with Banfield, was initially charged with murder but pleaded guilty to manslaughter. She testified against Banfield last week.

Bloodstain analyst Iris Dalley Graff told Fairfax County Circuit Court jurors that blood creates different patterns depending on factors such as whether it traveled through the air or was transferred through contact.

Prosecutors argued in opening statements that Banfield stabbed his wife and then deliberately dripped her blood onto Ryan to make it appear Ryan had attacked her. Graff testified that droplets on Ryan’s forearm were consistent with blood falling from above onto a horizontal surface.

Magalhães previously testified that Banfield shot Ryan in the head and that she then shot Ryan in the chest before calling 911.

Defense attorney John Carroll challenged several of Graff’s conclusions during cross-examination, arguing that her opinions conflicted with findings from homicide detectives.

Carroll also questioned her interpretation of police body-camera footage showing Banfield with blood-covered hands pressed against his wife’s neck when officers arrived. He argued the scene was also consistent with Banfield attempting to provide first aid while awaiting first responders.

After prosecutors rested and jurors were dismissed for the evening, Carroll asked Judge Penney Azcarate to throw out the five-count indictment. He emphasized that prosecutors had not called any of the homicide detectives who investigated the case and argued that no evidence implicated his client.

Carroll also attacked Magalhães’ credibility, saying she had changed her account repeatedly.

Prosecutor Jenna Sands responded that Banfield staged the killings with the au pair’s assistance.

Azcarate denied the defense request, ruling that jurors should be allowed to consider the prosecution’s case. Carroll said the defense planned to call four or five witnesses beginning Wednesday at 10 a.m.