VA - Herndon, Joseph Ryan shot, Christine Banfield stabbed, both deceased, in home - Feb 2023

[mickey2942]

I do feel badly for the other victim who was set up. We have not heard much about him. Joseph Ryan. He had a family, and his mother states her son was a "kind person".

'He wasn't just some creepy fetish guy!' | Victim's mother speaks to WUSA9 ahead of trial for man accused of murdering 2 people with family au pair

Jury selection begins in the Brendan Banfield trial as Joseph Ryan's mother remembers her son and disputes claims about his death.

www.wusa9.com

 

[Megnut]

I do feel badly for the other victim who was set up. We have not heard much about him. Joseph Ryan. He had a family, and his mother states her son was a "kind person".

'He wasn't just some creepy fetish guy!' | Victim's mother speaks to WUSA9 ahead of trial for man accused of murdering 2 people with family au pair

Jury selection begins in the Brendan Banfield trial as Joseph Ryan's mother remembers her son and disputes claims about his death.

www.wusa9.com

The murderers decided this man was expendable.

They were wrong.

He was a real person, with a real life, with people who loved him.

It was the murderers who were expendable.

Not much humanity in either of them, and none in them together.

JMO

 

[LetsSolvIt]

Those eyeglasses on her aren’t flattering. I like big glasses and I have a good amount of them but hers wouldn’t look good on most women.

I think she has been encouraged by her attorney to make herself look as pathetic, naive, and unattractive as possible!

 

[Megnut]

I think she has been encouraged by her attorney to make herself look as pathetic, naive, and unattractive as possible!

In this, she's not underperforming.

JMO

 

[Angelo]

The jury was able to see pictures and videos of Juliana and what she looked like before her arrest.

This picture is of the master bedroom where the murders of Christine and Joseph took place. It is taken less than 8 months after the murders. The bed and furniture have been replaced and the carpet is gone.

Juliana is now sleeping in the master bedroom with Brendan. Pictures of Juliana and Brendan are on the mantle and nightstand.

 

[sprightly]

I do feel badly for the other victim who was set up. We have not heard much about him. Joseph Ryan. He had a family, and his mother states her son was a "kind person".

'He wasn't just some creepy fetish guy!' | Victim's mother speaks to WUSA9 ahead of trial for man accused of murdering 2 people with family au pair

Jury selection begins in the Brendan Banfield trial as Joseph Ryan's mother remembers her son and disputes claims about his death.

www.wusa9.com

Yes, in the texts I read (which I feel so bad for his family having to see -- I can't imagine anything more embarrassing than having to read my kids' sexy texts or having my parents read mine) he seemed respectful of her boundaries and serious about consent. The whole BDSM/knife play kink is not my thing, but there's nothing wrong with people who are into that engaging in it with consenting adults. I feel so bad for both of the victims here -- such cruel betrayal.

 

[lohrtabitha]

Why is it that you can never understand what is being said in a 911 call? Just like so much CCTV footage where the images are fuzzy. Juliana Peres Magalhaes will be deported after she is sentenced (for time served), as part of her "deal". She has lost her opportunity to make a life here in the U.S.

Jury selected in the Brendan Banfield double murder trial after several hours
"Juliana Magalhaes, the au pair with whom Banfield was having an affair, has agreed to testify as part of a plea deal she accepted. In exchange for her testimony, she will plead to the lesser charge of manslaughter and walk free because of the time she already served, before being deported to Brazil."

I hate pleas that let people like this get off easy. Then she goes back to Brazil where her family is and will live happily ever after because I'm betting that most Brazilians will never know what she did. Ugh!

 

[lohrtabitha]

Diabolical case. And crazy to think he thought he would get away with it.

He is an IRS special agent if I read correctly? You would think he is highly intelligent? Why can't these darn people just get divorced. Instead of paying alimony they want to risk it by murdering and going to prison. Can love really make you that stupid?!!!!

 

[Tortoise]

From the end of the day in court on Thursday, Monday is a holiday. The commonwealth has two more witnesses on Tuesday morning, and then they are closing their case. The first will take approx. 1 hour, and the second will take approx. 15 minutes, on direct. Defense will voir dire the first witness before the jury is brought in. Defense will open their case Tuesday afternoon.

link to Thursday

 

[lohrtabitha]

She is living with Brendan’s mother and grandmother in the house where the murders occurred is my understanding, the same situation as existed before Julianna, then Brendan were arrested. I believe she cut all contact between the little girl and Christine’s family, compounding her losses. I personally hope Tess is charged with obstruction or similar and custody is changed. Mooo.

I think Christine's family could sue for custody or visitation in this.

 

[Dotta]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2012546568650449178

 

[BrownRice]

I think she has been encouraged by her attorney to make herself look as pathetic, naive, and unattractive as possible!

Well being in jail for an extended period of time decreases your ability to color your hair and use false eyelashes.

 

[BrownRice]

It’s unfortunate the Commonwealth didn’t feel confident enough to bring them both to trial without giving her a sweetheart deal. She could have easily said no to this. And she completely participated in the murders! The thought of her getting time served and deported is insane to me.

 

[LifeIsAMystery]

I think Christine's family could sue for custody or visitation in this.

They did, I think it has not gotten changed yet. Moving Tess into the house soon after murders so it could be argued as continuity was clever of B.

I still wonder if there was a lot of life insurance on Christine? Had to be a work based policy at minimum.

He spent a lot of money setting this up, the 30k on new, more soundproof windows was a crazy detail.

 

[mickey2942]

Well being in jail for an extended period of time decreases your ability to color your hair and use false eyelashes.

Lori Vallow Daybell managed it. But in this gal's case, less is better. She doesn't look like her previous pictures.

 

[Luna20]

They did, I think it has not gotten changed yet. Moving Tess into the house soon after murders so it could be argued as continuity was clever of B.

I still wonder if there was a lot of life insurance on Christine? Had to be a work based policy at minimum.

He spent a lot of money setting this up, the 30k on new, more soundproof windows was a crazy detail.

30K but no burner phones, going to the mailbox when he got home after he was ‘alerted about a stranger’ in the house, circling around the closest McDonalds like a creeper while waiting for the call, posting photos from a bathtub in New York, the weird 911 call. Just what comes to mind at the moment.

It would have been better to have JM hide in a closet for fear of the creeper, less testimony from her to the police. I wonder if he didn’t do that on purpose so that she would be implicated too. Did he foresee that he would put the blame on her if he was arrested?

He’s not smart enough to know that his behavior in court is saying that he is guilty.

 

[LetsSolvIt]

Well being in jail for an extended period of time decreases your ability to color your hair and use false eyelashes.

Well there’s that, too.

 

[Tortoise]

What possible scenario can he come up with, for 14 minutes between the two 911 calls? Where Joe can be heard writhing in agony in the first hung up call?

from timestamp 2.12

Also there was an interesting exchange when Brendan was speaking to the dispatcher - he's purportedly calling for help for Christine but when the dispatcher asks 'how old is the person?' he answers I don't know, then she has to tell him 'the person that's bleeding?'

I think he has to take the stand and come up with something, because that first call sinks him.
IMO

 

[Angelo]

What possible scenario can he come up with, for 14 minutes between the two 911 calls? Where Joe can be heard writhing in agony in the first hung up call?

from timestamp 2.12

Also there was an interesting exchange when Brendan was speaking to the dispatcher - he's purportedly calling for help for Christine but when the dispatcher asks 'how old is the person?' he answers I don't know, then she has to tell him 'the person that's bleeding?'

I think he has to take the stand and come up with something, because that first call sinks him.
IMO

Hearing Joseph moaning after being shot on the first 911 call is so sad.

I agree that the first 911 call sinks Brendan. There is no innocent explanation for it, especially since the next 911 call is made 15 minutes later. Fifteen minutes needed to stab Christine and let her bleed out, shoot Joseph for a second time, and stage the scene.

The 911 calls align with Juliana's testimony. Juliana said that Christine told her to call 911 right after Joseph was shot and before Christine was stabbed. Juliana made the call and Brendan signaled to her to hang up. I hope this is reinforced during closing arguments.

 

[Tortoise]

Hearing Joseph moaning after being shot on the first 911 call is so sad.

I agree that the first 911 call sinks Brendan. There is no innocent explanation for it, especially since the next 911 call is made 15 minutes later. Fifteen minutes needed to stab Christine and let her bleed out, shoot Joseph for a second time, and stage the scene.

The 911 calls align with Juliana's testimony. Juliana said that Christine told her to call 911 right after Joseph was shot and before Christine was stabbed. Juliana made the call and Brendan signaled to her to hang up. I hope this is reinforced during closing arguments.

The defense attorney seems to agree her testimony fits with all the evidence.

time stamp 1.19.52


"Is it fair to say in your communications with your lawyer, and you were learning about this case, you were receiving discovery from the commonwealth?

Yes.

Okay, and so when your lawyer would get discovery he would provide discovery to you, is that right?

It is.

And kind of moving forward toward what ultimately would have been your trial date in 2024, November 12th, you had received all discovery from the commonwealth prior to September 30th is that right?

I guess so.

Okay, and so that was discovery that you and your lawyer and in fact the case was continued one time because there was more discovery that was being held back and your lawyer had to review it in order to get ready for the next trial, correct?

Correct

Okay, and is it fair to say it's a pretty large amount of discovery?

Yes.

Okay, lots of videos, lots of reports, lots of other things, correct?

Correct.

And you got a chance to fully understand all of that prior to what was going to be your second trial date.

Well from my understanding yeah.

Okay, but you had full discovery is what I'm trying to say.

Yes.

Okay, would you agree with me that everything that you testified to yesterday was provided to you in discovery?

I'm not sure I'm following your question.

Well you had a series of facts that you were pointing out to the ladies and gentlemen of the jury and this was within weeks of your trial that was scheduled, correct? So you had all the information and is that what the basis for what you testified to the ladies and gentlemen of the jury was yesterday?

Objection your honor, this is ambiguous

Ambiguous is your objection?

Yes

Overruled.

Do you understand my question?

Nope.

Okay let me repeat it. So what I'm saying is and what you've said to me is that you received all the discovery for the case. That would be what the commonwealth's required to give you before you go to trial. And what I'm asking you is the basis for your testimony yesterday was provided in discovery, prior to you testifying today, correct?

Well are you suggesting that my testimony is based on the discovery, and not the facts that happened? I'm not sure...I'm confused still, sorry

Well just tell us, what role did the discovery play in the decision to speak yesterday, in what you said?

The truth.

Okay, I appreciate that. Was that the truth that was provided by the discovery, so you could work for the commonwealth?

No, the truth was that really happened. I can't make my words fit into the evidence.

Okay well I guess what I'm saying is you can make their evidence fit into your words however.

I don't know what you're suggesting. I'm utterly confused. I'm sorry."