VA - Joseph Ryan shot, Christine Banfield stabbed, both deceased, in home - Herndon 24 Feb 2023

[Luna20]

Defense atty: I'm just trying to understand where we're going.
Witness: And I'm trying to understand where you're going. I'm sorry I don't understand the question.

Her comeback was good!

 

[Lawnguylander1964]

“Are you going to be my mommy now? Are you going to marry my daddy”?

That is gut wrenching. Who knows what the child witnessed.

For the child to say this hours after the murders is just insane to me. And she answered yes to the first question and I hope to the second one.

Within earshot of other people.

 

[midwest_musician]

Just to provide maybe an alternative opinion - I think the defense lawyer has done a pretty good job. He's certainly not a Johny Cochran or Alan Jackson in terms of style or oratory ability.

However, in the little bit I have watched, I think he has done well to muddy the waters - and maybe get to a hung jury? He has an actual bona fide report from a police detective / digital analyst that says after reveiwing all the data it appears CB was using her own device for the fetlife communications. And the rest of the department was so mad at him for that analysis, they blackballed him and demoted/transfered him

Now, to be clear, I think its clear that BB is guilty. BUT, its not common to get such a report that clearly supports the defense from a formal prosecution report. So instead of just conceding that the analyst was likely overstating his conclusions like most of the rest of the people on the stand have done, the defense attorney has made that the whole theme! Its boring and repetitive, but I think it was the best shot.

In short, his story is this: Before the au pair finely was pressured into throwing BB under the bus (and her also getting money! potentially for her story from news people), the police department's own digital analyst said catfishing was not supported by digital evidence, and the rest of the department cleared him out so they could force a story/ sweetheart deal for the au pair.

I don't buy that story, and I don't he will be acquitted, but I think its a good attempt by defense attorney (he's just not very skilled oratory wise)

 

[Izzylizzy]

Just to provide maybe an alternative opinion - I think the defense lawyer has done a pretty good job. He's certainly not a Johny Cochran or Alan Jackson in terms of style or oratory ability.

However, in the little bit I have watched, I think he has done well to muddy the waters - and maybe get to a hung jury? He has an actual bona fide report from a police detective / digital analyst that says after reveiwing all the data it appears CB was using her own device for the fetlife communications. And the rest of the department was so mad at him for that analysis, they blackballed him and demoted/transfered him

Now, to be clear, I think its clear that BB is guilty. BUT, its not common to get such a report that clearly supports the defense from a formal prosecution report. So instead of just conceding that the analyst was likely overstating his conclusions like most of the rest of the people on the stand have done, the defense attorney has made that the whole theme! Its boring and repetitive, but I think it was the best shot.

In short, his story is this: Before the au pair finely was pressured into throwing BB under the bus (and her also getting money! potentially for her story from news people), the police department's own digital analyst said catfishing was not supported by digital evidence, and the rest of the department cleared him out so they could force a story/ sweetheart deal for the au pair.

I don't buy that story, and I don't he will be acquitted, but I think its a good attempt by defense attorney (he's just not very skilled oratory wise)

After reading your post I just started the trial video and am also dropping today's live trial update link here.

I agree with you about the defense attorney Carroll.

I find him slow, boring and steady yet he made some headway today.
A little passion in his delivery wouldn't hurt when he's driving home a crucial point .

Live updates: Defense grills investigators on ‘catfish theory' in Banfield trial

Editor’s Note: Some people may find the details of the trial disturbing. Discretion is advised. The defense continues its case today in the trial of Brendan Banfield, the Fairfax County man accused of killing his wife and a stranger as part of a calculated plot to start a new life with the...

www.nbcwashington.com

 

[midwest_musician]

yep more passion / energy would help! I suspect he's like most "normal" or even good private attorneys - just that the famous ones you see on tv are much better at the energy side

I don't know from people who have followed this trial more if they have seen this addressed - but I think the most damning single fact is the 2nd 911 call.. the au pair testified there were two I'm sure - but did the defense attorney try to attack this or provide some alternative explanation?

In many ways Brendan Banfield was "knowledgable" and decently "sophisticated" (but still terrible person obviously), but seems the biggest no brainer flaw was it getting messed up with 2 911 calls and the first i belive hearing the victim moaning in pain. Without that, I could see the attorney's line of questioning at least getting some of the 12 jurors to not guilty. I just can't see how you spin those 2 calls (I didn't watch much of au pair's testimony.. so if someone did and can comment on those calls I'd be curious!)

 

[Luna20]

yep more passion / energy would help! I suspect he's like most "normal" or even good private attorneys - just that the famous ones you see on tv are much better at the energy side

I don't know from people who have followed this trial more if they have seen this addressed - but I think the most damning single fact is the 2nd 911 call.. the au pair testified there were two I'm sure - but did the defense attorney try to attack this or provide some alternative explanation?

In many ways Brendan Banfield was "knowledgable" and decently "sophisticated" (but still terrible person obviously), but seems the biggest no brainer flaw was it getting messed up with 2 911 calls and the first i belive hearing the victim moaning in pain. Without that, I could see the attorney's line of questioning at least getting some of the 12 jurors to not guilty. I just can't see how you spin those 2 calls (I didn't watch much of au pair's testimony.. so if someone did and can comment on those calls I'd be curious!)

JM was able to put BB at the scene. That, and it would be difficult for someone to pull this off when English isn’t their primary language. She doesn’t have that same “sophisticated” sense like BB does. He is use to being ambiguous and savvy with his job description.

Even with that, he missed some important points to not become a suspect. No Burner phones, no activity on the Fet site after the deaths, posting photos with his fling versus a true grieving husband and more.

He doesn’t realize how guilty he looks in court. The fake tears on cue whenever Christine’s trauma is revealed isn’t working for him. As soon as something is said that is really uncomfortable for him he wipes his eyes. It’s robotic. He can’t pull it off.

 

[LifeIsAMystery]

For the child to say this hours after the murders is just insane to me. And she answered yes to the first question and I hope to the second one.

Within earshot of other people.

That was not a total surprise given BB and JPM but still so upsetting. And now she has been kept from Christine’s family and her beloved former au pair too for years, trauma compounded by trauma. Jmooo.

My heart goes out to V and to Christine whose house sounded so cold before she died. I wonder if she sensed something was very wrong? Had the not extended JPM for another year in October, it may all have turned out so differently. BB was still a person capable of this, so disturbing.

They must have been preparing the 4 year old in some way for her to say that. I was struck that he never did marry JPM, maybe a means to an end imho.