What to Know
- Brendan Banfield, a former IRS officer, is accused of killing his wife, Christine Banfield, and a stranger, Joseph Ryan, at the Banfields’ home in Fairfax County, Virginia.
- Prosecutors say the killings were part of a calculated plan so Brendan could get Christine out of the picture and start a new life with his family’s au pair, Juliana Peres Magalhães.
- The defense repeatedly grilled investigators yesterday about their “catfish theory” that Brendan and the au pair lured Ryan to the Banfields’ home by posing as Christine on a sex fetish website and then framed Ryan for her murder.
- One witness testified that the catfish theory became a topic of discussion among investigators after the Banfields’ young daughter was heard calling the au pair “Mommy” days after Christine’s death.
- “It was overwhelming that this was a catfish,” Lt. David Giaccio said during his testimony.
- Brendan has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
- Watch a livestream of the trial in the video player above and follow here for live updates.
Editor’s Note: Some people may find the details of the trial disturbing. Discretion is advised.
The defense will continue to call witnesses today in the trial of Brendan Banfield, the Fairfax County man accused of killing his wife and a stranger as part of a calculated plot to start a new life with the family’s au pair. Follow live updates below.
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