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A Fairfax County jury is deliberating whether Brendan Banfield conspired with his family’s au pair to kill his wife and another man inside the couple’s home.

Banfield, a former IRS law enforcement officer, faces two counts of aggravated murder in the February 2023 deaths of Christine Banfield and Joseph Ryan. He has pleaded not guilty and could receive life in prison if convicted.

Prosecutors contend Banfield and Brazilian au pair Juliana Peres Magalhães were having an affair and devised an elaborate plot to eliminate Christine. They allegedly impersonated her on an adult fetish website, lured Ryan to the home and arranged the scene to make him appear responsible for her death.

The defense says investigators rushed to judgment and relied on questionable forensic conclusions and an unreliable account from Magalhães, who secured a reduced charge through a plea agreement.

Jurors began considering the case Friday afternoon after closing arguments and deliberated for several hours before leaving for the weekend.

Prosecutors Point to Affair and Blood Evidence

Lead prosecutor Jenna Sands argued that blood patterns, physical evidence and portions of Banfield’s own testimony support the commonwealth’s case.

Banfield acknowledged having an affair with Magalhães and said during cross-examination that he loved her. But he denied that they planned to kill Christine, testifying that both spouses had affairs during their nearly 20-year relationship without intending to end the marriage.

Sands said Banfield feared losing Magalhães and wanted his wife out of the way so the two could marry and have children. Magalhães’ testimony supported that account.

Investigators allege the pair fatally shot Ryan before Banfield stabbed Christine. Prosecutors say they then manipulated the scene to portray Ryan as her attacker.

Sands argued that Banfield allowed Christine to bleed on the floor before placing, smearing and wiping her blood on Ryan’s body. She said the resulting patterns conflict with Banfield’s version of events.

Defense Challenges Investigation

Defense attorney John Carroll spent about 90 minutes emphasizing gaps in the forensic testing and attempting to undermine Magalhães’ credibility.

Carroll said investigators did not test certain stains on the floor or the gun, even though prosecutors attached significance to blood found where the weapon had been lying. He argued that the gun’s location in a pool of blood could explain the stain.

The defense also disputed the prosecution’s catfishing theory. A digital forensic examiner testified that Christine used her phone and laptop simultaneously, which Carroll said raised questions about how Banfield could have operated her devices to communicate with Ryan.

Magalhães testified that Banfield spent months preparing the killings, but she could not always remember who created the online account or sent particular messages while posing as Christine. A detective who questioned the catfishing theory was later removed from the investigation.

Sands countered that investigators found no earlier digital history suggesting Christine used dating or fetish sites, searched for pornography or communicated with other men before the alleged scheme began in January 2023.

Au Pair’s Deal Draws Scrutiny

Magalhães was arrested eight months after the killings and originally charged with second-degree murder in Ryan’s death. She later pleaded guilty to a reduced manslaughter charge under an agreement with prosecutors.

Banfield was arrested nearly a year after Magalhães, following her confession to investigators.

Carroll argued that her account was influenced by the prospect of freedom and by discussions with a media company about selling her story for a documentary.

Sands responded that Magalhães could have benefited more by supporting Banfield’s account, which might have cleared her entirely. She also questioned whether Magalhães would fabricate an extensive story for a potential $10,000 documentary payment.

The prosecutor urged jurors to compare the competing accounts with the blood, DNA, digital forensics and physical evidence collected from the home.

Banfield Describes a Violent Confrontation

Testifying Thursday, Banfield said Magalhães called him on Feb. 24, 2023, to report that an unfamiliar man was inside the family’s home.

After returning, Banfield said he heard what sounded like sexual activity. He testified that he opened the bedroom door and found a clothed Ryan holding a knife to Christine, who was naked on the floor.

Banfield said he did not initially want to fire because he wanted Ryan to release his wife. He testified that he shot Ryan after seeing him make a downward stabbing motion.

According to Banfield, he noticed blood in Christine’s hair but did not immediately recognize that she had been stabbed. He said she told him she was bleeding out, apologized and said she loved him.

Banfield testified that he then heard another gunshot and saw Magalhães holding one of his other firearms. He said he was stunned that she had fired.

Prosecutors dispute that sequence, arguing Banfield stabbed Christine repeatedly before Magalhães called 911. They have also questioned whether Christine could have carried on the conversation Banfield described after suffering seven neck wounds documented during her autopsy.

Banfield said he delayed firing at Ryan because he feared striking his wife.

Jury Must Decide Multiple Charges

To convict Banfield of aggravated murder, prosecutors must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that he killed both Christine and Ryan, that the deaths were willful, deliberate and premeditated, and that the killings were part of the same act.

Banfield also faces a firearm charge connected to the commission of a felony and a child-endangerment charge because the couple’s 4-year-old daughter was in the basement during the killings.

Magalhães is expected to be sentenced after Banfield’s trial. She could receive credit amounting to the time she has already served.