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Defense testimony continued Friday in the Fairfax County trial of former IRS investigator Brendan Banfield, with a digital forensics expert challenging the prosecution’s account of how two 2023 killings were allegedly arranged.

Banfield is charged with aggravated murder in the deaths of his wife, Christine Banfield, and Joseph Ryan.

Outside the jury’s presence, defense attorney John Carroll told Chief Judge Penney Azcarate and prosecutors that Banfield plans to testify before the defense rests its case. Jurors have not been informed of that decision.

Prosecutors contend Banfield created a profile on a fetish website while posing as his wife, then used it to lure Ryan to the couple’s home. Their theory is that Banfield intended to kill Christine Banfield and blame her death on Ryan.

Defense witness Harry Lidsky, a private investigator and digital forensic examiner, reviewed evidence related to Christine Banfield’s electronic devices. The prosecution and the family’s au pair, Juliana Peres Magalhaes, have said the evidence shows Christine Banfield frequently used her phone and laptop simultaneously.

Lidsky said he agreed with the case’s original lead detective, who disputed lead investigator Brendan Miller’s theory that someone had impersonated Christine Banfield online.

Deputy Chief of Major Crimes Patrick Brusch testified Thursday that he decided to remove Miller from the investigation. Miller had submitted an executive summary concluding that Christine Banfield never lost control of her phone or laptop.

That finding conflicted with the prosecution’s allegation that Banfield and Peres Magalhaes used Christine Banfield’s devices to contact Ryan and other men while setting the alleged plan in motion.

Court ended Friday while Lidsky was still on the witness stand. Azcarate said his testimony would resume when proceedings restart after an impending winter storm.