Bond denied for Virginia man charged in double homicide that left wife, another man, dead
Herndon husband accused of murdering wife to remain in jail, judge rules
A Virginia man, Brendan Banfield, was denied bond on Friday after being indicted earlier this month for the murders of his wife, Christine Banfield, and another man, Joseph Ryan, at the couple’s Fairfax County home. FOX 5's Lili Zheng has the story.
HERNDON, Va. - A Virginia man, Brendan Banfield, was denied bond on Friday after being indicted earlier this month for the murders of his wife, Christine Banfield, and another man, Joseph Ryan, at the couple’s Fairfax County home.
Banfield’s arrest came nearly a year after Juliana Peres Magalhães, an au pair for the Banfields’ daughter, was charged with second-degree murder in Ryan’s death. During the brief hearing Friday, the defense argued that
Banfield is not a flight risk and needs to care for his child.
READ MORE: Virginia man charged in double homicide that left wife dead arraigned on charges
Herndon husband charged in double homicide appears in court
Brendan Banfield was arraigned in Fairfax County court Tuesday after his indictment on five counts total for the February 2023 killings of his wife Christine Banfield and Joseph Ryan. Four of the counts are related to the aggravated murder charge, while the fifth count is for felony firearm use. FOX 5's Lili Zheng has the story.
Prosecutors presented photo evidence of Banfield’s relationship with the au pair, noting this was not his first affair. Prosecutors said there was at least one woman who was interviewed by investigators, alleging she was involved in an affair with Banfield in the past.
They also highlighted the proximity of three major airports in the Washington, D.C. area, suggesting Banfield could easily flee. Additionally, evidence was shown indicating Banfield was learning Portuguese and preparing for a life in Brazil.
In court, prosecutors allege someone used Christine Banfield’s computer to set up an account on an adult fetish website. They allege Ryan came to the Banfield’s home on the morning of the murders, planning to carry out a rape fantasy.
What is not immediately clear is who set up the account. Retired FBI agent Jennifer Coffindaffer said that will be a crucial part of the case.
"They’re keeping the details now, I believe, because this is pretty salacious. First of all, that you would be lured by that. That you would be lured by a sex situation involving violence, which is really the premise behind why he [Ryan] was lured there and he came. He came there," Coffindaffer said. "This is something that’s going to play for the defense as well, because the defense is going to be able to shine a bad light on the victim. That’s what they always want to do. They always want to show the victim was a terrible person. I’m not saying this shows that. I’m saying the defense is going to use it for that, but it’s also very important for the prosecution because they need to show the setup and who is behind the account. They need to show why he was there."
In court Friday, prosecutors also noted Magalhaes got a new phone eight days before the murders. Brendan Banfield got a new phone four days prior.
There were also photos of the two during a trip to New York one month before the murders.
"Even though it’s not an element of the crime or something you don’t have to prove in the court of law, per se. But a jury wants to understand that. How in the world could this individual be involved in such a horrific crime? This involved a stabbing. This involved multiple guns. This involved shooting someone," Coffindaffer said.
Investigators have interviewed the couple’s daughter, who recounted the events of the morning of the murders.
READ MORE: Trial set for Virginia husband indicted in double homicide of wife, another man
Banfield could face trial as early as February, but the date is subject to change. Magalhães is scheduled for trial in November.