Husband invited nanny into marital bed months after wife's murder
A former IRS agent accused of murdering his wife to cover up an affair with the family nanny moved his mistress into his marital bed shortly after the killing. Brendan Banfield, 39, is on trial for the February 2023 killings of his wife, Christine Banfield, and a stranger, Joseph Ryan, at his home in northern Virginia.He allegedly stabbed Christine, 37, to death in their bed as part of a twisted plot to be with his 25-year-old Brazilian au pair Juliana Peres Magalhães. A fake sex profile was created behind Christine's back claiming she wanted to experience a rape fantasy. Ryan responded and was also killed by Banfield as part of an elaborate scheme to be with Magalhães, prosecutors say. Magalhães was sleeping in the bed Christine had shared with her husband eight months after the murders, Fairfax County Sgt. Kenner Fortner told Banfield's trial on Thursday.Fortner first entered the residence in February 2023 as part of the investigation into the murders and photographed the home, including both the primary and Magalhães's bedrooms, Fox News reported. When he visited the home again eight months later, 'red, lingerie-style clothing items' and a yellow t-shirt with green trim that had previously hung in the au pair's closet had been moved to the master bedroom, he testified.'They had gotten new flooring, new bedroom furniture,' Fortner said, noting how photographs that once featured the Banfields had been 'taken down and replaced with Brendan and Juliana together.' Banfield is charged with aggravated murder in the killings Christine and Ryan, 39. He has pleaded not guilty and could face life in prison if convicted.The former IRS agent, whose then-4-year-old daughter was at the house on the morning of the killings, is also charged with child abuse and felony child cruelty in connection with the case. He will face those charges during the trial. Brendan Banfield (right) moved his 25-year-old Brazilian au pair Juliana Peres Magalhães (left) into his marital bed sometime in the eight months after the pair killed his wife, jurors heard Christine Banfield was found stabbed to death in her bedroom on February 24, 2023 Banfield and Magalhães allegedly tried to frame Joseph Ryan for Christine's murder after creating a fake account for Christine on a BDSM site and made plans to have 'rough sex' with Ryan before they were both killed Investigators took this photograph of the marital bedroom during a visit to the home eight months after the February 2023 killings, highlighting how the frame on the nightstand now featured a photo of Banfield and MagalhãesThe lead crime scene detective assigned to the case also told the court Thursday how he found the murder weapons in the master bedroom. 'The knife was found underneath the blankets, between the edge of the blanket in the bed,' Det. Terry Leach said. '[The] only thing we could see when we arrived was the handle. And the knife was on its backside – so it's blade up – and then the handle is towards the bed.' Investigators also found two handguns in the room, which Leach said he later determined had been moved from their original locations after first responders arrived on scene and tried to save Ryan's life.The bodies of both Ryan and Christine were found in the bedroom. Earlier this week, Magalhães testified that Banfield did not feel he could just leave his wife and that they hatched a plan to 'get rid' of Christine so they could be together.The nanny claimed Banfield told her that he couldn't split from his wife because she would end up having more money than he would, in addition to not being good for their child. 'Money was involved,' Magalhães said Tuesday in Fairfax County Court. She added that Banfield had no plans to share custody of his young daughter with Christine.Magalhães shared how she and Banfield lured Ryan to the house using a BDSM site. The two then shot him, staging the scene to look as if Ryan had been a predator stabbing Banfield. When Sgt. Kenner Fortner first visited the residence in February 2023, he photographed all rooms, including the au pair's. In her closet hung 'red, lingerie-style clothing items' and a yellow t-shirt with green trim Those very clothing items were seen hanging in the closet of the master bedroom during Fortner's visit to the home eight months later, the detective told the court Photographs in the bedroom that once featured the Banfields had been 'taken down and replaced with Brendan and Juliana together,' the investigator testified The lead crime scene detective assigned to the case also told the court Thursday how he found the murder weapons in the master bedroom. The knife used to stab Christine Banfield to death had been tucked into the bed Investigators also found two handguns in the master bedroom, which Leach said he later determined had been moved from their original locations'I just couldn't keep it to myself, the feeling of shame and guilt and sadness,' she said in court of the ruse. The former au pair was initially charged with second-degree murder in Ryan's killing, but has since pleaded guilty to a downgraded manslaughter charge.Magalhães testified that she and Banfield had created an account in Christine's name on a social media platform for people interested in sexual fetishes. There, Ryan connected with the account, and the users made plans to meet for a sexual encounter involving a knife.In her testimony, she described Banfield's plan to kill his wife and spend the rest of his days with Magalhães. She testified to the months he had spent plotting their scheme, and the steps he took to manufacture their alibis.John Carroll, Banfield's attorney, spent much of Wednesday scrutinizing her initial testimony and her motives behind pleading guilty.He pressed her on who created the email address connected to the social media account and where she and Banfield were on the day it had been procured. She testified that she did not remember who made the account or what room in the Banfield home they had been in.The defense attorney repeatedly pressed her on specific messages sent on the social media account in Christine's name. Magalhães, seemingly annoyed, repeatedly testified that she had been unsure who had sent what. At one point, she told Carroll: 'I am not going to do this.' Nanny Juliana Peres Magalhães, 25, testified on Tuesday in Fairfax County court explaining the reasoning behind Brendan Banfield's alleged twisted plot 'to get rid of her (his wife)' Banfield also faces child abuse and neglect charges because his 4-year-old daughter was at home when the murders occurredCarroll also asked Magalhães to read portions from letters she had written from jail to Banfield and others. They expressed depression and frustration with her situation. 'No strength. No courage. No hope,' she wrote at one point.Magalhães testified that her health in jail and isolation from loved ones also pushed her to turn on Banfield.Wearing a gray suit and a striped tie, Banfield occasionally glanced up as ex-lover gave her testimony. The former au pair did not appear to look back noticeably.Magalhães will be sentenced at the conclusion of Banfield's trial. Depending on her cooperation with authorities, attorneys have said she could be sentenced to the time she has already served.
