A Virginia man was found guilty Monday of murdering his wife and another man who prosecutors say was lured to the house as a fall guy in a murder plot. Brendan Banfield, former IRS law enforcement officer, claimed he discovered Joseph Ryan attacking his wife, Christine Banfield, when he shot both men during the incident.
Prosecutors argued that Banfield orchestrated the events leading to his wife's death, backed by evidence that he and the couple's Brazilian au pair, Juliana Magalhães, were having an affair. Magalhães, who pleaded guilty to manslaughter in 2024, testified against Banfield, revealing details about their deceptive acts to lure Ryan into the home.
Banfield insisted that Magalhães' testimony was unreliable due to her plea deal with the prosecutors. Meanwhile, authorities were able to present substantial evidence indicating foul play, including forensics suggesting that Christine's blood was found on Ryan.
The jury deliberated for nearly nine hours before reaching a verdict, leaving Banfield facing a potential life sentence. The cases against both Banfield and Magalhães highlight a devastating betrayal as personal and criminal lives intertwine in deadly ways.
