These murders are particularly heinous and brutal. Joseph Ryan was entrapped and ambushed. Christine was stabbed viciously by her husband, who after sullying her reputation, only wanted to make sure she died. He probably wanted to shoot her, just to seal the deal. But that was risky and wouldn't have comported with his script. He was the mastermind. I don't even think that he had plans to live happily ever after with Magalhaes. He needed her for the express purpose of getting rid of an albatross around his neck. She was the only one to take the bait. He just wanted to be free to do what he wanted without the scrutiny of a spouse. He was a "player", and, the way he saw it, the opportunities were boundless. Especially when he would be cast in the role of a "devastated widower" with a motherless young child to raise. Magalhaes viewed him as a stepping stone, on the way to bigger and better things. She was cunning, would have soaked him for what she could, and then moved on. (IMO)
If ever there was a case for the death penalty, this is it. But not in Virginia.
