A Fairfax, Virginia jury found former IRS special agent Brendan Banfield guilty of murdering his wife and a stranger in a shocking scheme that prosecutors say he orchestrated with his Brazilian au pair-turned-mistress.
According to the New York Post, Banfield, 40, was convicted of killing his wife, Christine, 37, and 38-year-old Joseph Ryan at the couple’s Herndon, Virginia home on February 24, 2023.
Ryan, prosecutors said, had been lured to the house under the belief he was participating in a consensual sexual encounter with Christine.
The jury of seven women and five men reached its verdict after nine hours of deliberation. Banfield appeared downcast as the guilty verdicts were read, bowing his head and averting his gaze. He faces life in prison without the possibility of parole at his sentencing on May 8.
In addition to the murders, Banfield was convicted of using a weapon in the killings and endangering his then-4-year-old daughter, who was left alone in the basement while the violence occurred.
The three-week trial revealed a web of deceit and betrayal.
Banfield’s mistress, 25-year-old Juliana Peres Magalhães, testified that she and Banfield hatched the plot just months after beginning their affair.
According to Magalhães, the pair created a fetish account posing as Christine and lured Ryan to the home, armed with a knife, under the guise of a sexual fantasy.
Magalhães, who had been responsible for caring for the couple’s young daughter, waited outside while Banfield carried out the killings, prosecutors said.
Banfield allegedly shot Ryan with his service weapon to stage a defense of his wife, then stabbed Christine multiple times to make it appear Ryan had attacked her.
During the trial, Banfield admitted to his affair with Magalhães and past infidelities but maintained that he shot Ryan in defense of his wife. His lawyer argued that Magalhães fabricated the story to avoid serious jail time.
Prosecutor Jenna Sands painted a different picture for jurors. “He was in love with Juliana,” she said. “He needed to get rid of his wife so they could be together, so they could get married, so they could have children together.”
Magalhães, who pleaded guilty as part of a deal, will be sentenced in the coming weeks. Banfield continues to maintain his innocence despite the conviction.
