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

[Little Jack]

I think its weird the supervisor had to come forward and say the work meeting alibi was junk. Didn't the police investigate his claim ??

 

[Inthedetails]

I think its weird the supervisor had to come forward and say the work meeting alibi was junk. Didn't the police investigate his claim ??

If the police investigated the claim, there would still have to be someone to testify to it in court. The supervisor was an excellent witness, imo.

jmo

 

[petunia5743]

I think its weird the supervisor had to come forward and say the work meeting alibi was junk. Didn't the police investigate his claim ??

Remember, he initially refused to cooperate with police. As the CW pointed out a few times, this is the first time he told his “entire story”.

 

[ryan8901]

I think its weird the supervisor had to come forward and say the work meeting alibi was junk. Didn't the police investigate his claim ??

Do we know that he had previously claimed there was such a meeting? Perhaps the first time the prosecutors heard that claim was when he was on the stand. They apparently interviewed many of his coworkers and presumably none of them mentioned such a meeting, nor did the police ask about one because they had no reason to.

 

[Kysoze]

I think its weird the supervisor had to come forward and say the work meeting alibi was junk. Didn't the police investigate his claim ??

I think the first time anyone has heard his “story” was when he was on the stand testifying. The CW brought this up when he was testifying as he hid behind his lawyer until trial. He pleaded the fifth previously and wouldn’t even answer questions about whether or not he was married to CB… I think his coworkers were previously interviewed by detectives only about his character and other things like that and not about an alleged meeting the morning of the crime (don’t think anyone knew about this allegation) His acting supervisor at the time heard his testimony and reached out to the CW to call bullsh!t.

 

[ryan8901]

I think the first time anyone has heard his “story” was when he was on the stand testifying. The CW brought this up when he was testifying as he hid behind his lawyer until trial. He pleaded the fifth previously and wouldn’t even answer questions about whether or not he was married to CB… I think his coworkers were previously interviewed by detectives only about his character and other things like that and not about an alleged meeting the morning of the crime (don’t think anyone knew about this allegation) His acting supervisor at the time heard his testimony and reached out to the CW to call bullsh!t.

I think you’re exactly correct. Kudos to his former boss for paying attention to the trial and calling the prosecution when he lied.

 

[Lawnguylander1964]

I keep forgetting she moved into the master bedroom after the murders. I am conflicted. She broke up with him prior to the murders and told him she was dating other people etc. During the cross, the prosecutor read those discord messages of him begging to talk to her. So she wasn't completely invested in him at all times. One could argue that he was married and she didn't want to waste her time. Or it could've been a ploy by her to fast track him getting rid of Christine by divorce or death. Clearly, once he told her he would get rid of his wife she was all in and planning a murder and a future with him.

Somehow though I still get the feeling this was skin deep for both of them. Not some deep connection.

The testimony from the victim advocate was that in the hotel lobby, the child asked JM if she should call her mommy now. And then the child asked if JM was going to marry her father and JM said I hope so.

Tells you all you need to know.

 

[Izzylizzy]

A sister wouldn't necessarily know and it would be off-putting to make a sister be cross-examined on that topic.

jmo

Nothing was more off-putting than listening to BB 's claims about CB's supposed fetishes and his claims were left hanging in the air by the CW.

Not one search was found on any of CB's devices that even indicated she had an interest in anything kinky.

CB had no defenders/loved ones testifying about what she was like as a woman, daughter, sister, wife, mother and friend.
imo

 

[Izzylizzy]

Lawyer You Know

@LawyerYouKnow

Au Pair Affair Trial Day 10: Closing Arguments - my reaction premieres tomorrow morning at 8:00am ET.
: https://youtu.be/UZhfazjeN8c


5:16 PM · Jan 30, 2026
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[Lawnguylander1964]

Nothing was more off-putting than listening to BB 's claims about CB's supposed fetishes and his claims were left hanging in the air by the CW.

Not one search was found on any of CB's devices that even indicated she had an interest in anything kinky.

CB had no defenders/loved ones testifying about what she was like as a woman, daughter, sister, wife, mother and friend.
imo

If there's justice, we'll get all of that in the sentencing hearing during victim impact statements.

 

[Izzylizzy]

If there's justice, we'll get all of that in the sentencing hearing during victim impact statements.

Thanks for the reminder and this may be a preview of what's to come for BB.

 

[Kysoze]

A few things that stick out about this case that make it clear BB is 100% guilty:

If BB was supposed to be at work all day and JM was going to be at the zoo, why would CB ask JR to come over at 7:15-7:30 am, only minutes after everyone was out of the house? Why cut it that close if she had all day?

The fact that there was no fetlife or telegram activity by CB when she was confirmed to be in the house alone (during BB an JM’s NY and Winchester trips) is pretty glaring. The only activity occurred when either JM or BB was in the house with her.

CB had no fetish or porn search history whatsoever.

BB saying that CB spoke to him multiple times even though she had 7 stab wounds to both sides of her neck? (I’m surprised the CW didn’t call a rebuttal expert to testify that that was not possible).

Not a single tear was shed by BB while testifying about that horrific morning. He just went with a forced stutter during his performance on the stand.

BB being able to have multiple affairs and live a secret life with JM right under the same roof as his wife tells you he can lie about anything.

The blood evidence, the gap between 911 calls, etc.

I sincerely hope the jury came to a guilty decision 5 minutes after deliberating and are just stretching it out to get an extra day off work Monday.

 

[Luna20]

A few things that stick out about this case that make it clear BB is 100% guilty:

If BB was supposed to be at work all day and JM was going to be at the zoo, why would CB ask JR to come over at 7:15-7:30 am, only minutes after everyone was out of the house? Why cut it that close if she had all day?

The fact that there was no fetlife or telegram activity by CB when she was confirmed to be in the house alone (during BB an JM’s NY and Winchester trips) is pretty glaring. The only activity occurred when either JM or BB was in the house with her.

CB had no fetish or porn search history whatsoever.

BB saying that CB spoke to him multiple times even though she had 7 stab wounds to both sides of her neck? (I’m surprised the CW didn’t call a rebuttal expert to testify that that was not possible).

Not a single tear was shed by BB while testifying about that horrific morning. He just went with a forced stutter during his performance on the stand.

BB being able to have multiple affairs and live a secret life with JM right under the same roof as his wife tells you he can lie about anything.

The blood evidence, the gap between 911 calls, etc.

I sincerely hope the jury came to a guilty decision 5 minutes after deliberating and are just stretching it out to get an extra day off work Monday.

That would have been a great idea to have a medical expert testify on how it’s not natural to be able to speak with seven stab wounds in the neck.

 

[Inthedetails]

That would have been a great idea to have a medical expert testify on how it’s not natural to be able to speak with seven stab wounds in the neck.

I was expecting that too.

jmo

 

[ryan8901]

A few things that stick out about this case that make it clear BB is 100% guilty:

If BB was supposed to be at work all day and JM was going to be at the zoo, why would CB ask JR to come over at 7:15-7:30 am, only minutes after everyone was out of the house? Why cut it that close if she had all day?

The fact that there was no fetlife or telegram activity by CB when she was confirmed to be in the house alone (during BB an JM’s NY and Winchester trips) is pretty glaring. The only activity occurred when either JM or BB was in the house with her.

CB had no fetish or porn search history whatsoever.

BB saying that CB spoke to him multiple times even though she had 7 stab wounds to both sides of her neck? (I’m surprised the CW didn’t call a rebuttal expert to testify that that was not possible).

Not a single tear was shed by BB while testifying about that horrific morning. He just went with a forced stutter during his performance on the stand.

BB being able to have multiple affairs and live a secret life with JM right under the same roof as his wife tells you he can lie about anything.

The blood evidence, the gap between 911 calls, etc.

I sincerely hope the jury came to a guilty decision 5 minutes after deliberating and are just stretching it out to get an extra day off work Monday.

You’re absolutely correct. When you cut through the noise these are the major points proving his guilt. I also find it illuminating that BB never told the 911 operators, paramedics or hospital staff about CB’s blood disorder.

 

[ryan8901]

I was expecting that too.

jmo

I thought that the coroner was asked about this. I can’t remember what her answer was but it did come up. She was asked the same for both victims.

 

[Inthedetails]

I thought that the coroner was asked about this. I can’t remember what her answer was but it did come up. She was asked the same for both victims.

Aha. I didn't hear the coroner's testimony, so I entirely missed the info.

I wanted to hear the prosecutor bring it home that a woman suffering stabs to the neck (as well as shock!) could not converse.

jmo

 

[Luna20]

Nothing was more off-putting than listening to BB 's claims about CB's supposed fetishes and his claims were left hanging in the air by the CW.

Not one search was found on any of CB's devices that even indicated she had an interest in anything kinky.

CB had no defenders/loved ones testifying about what she was like as a woman, daughter, sister, wife, mother and friend.
imo

Another missed opportunity. Why not have a friend, colleague or family member to testify for Christine?? How difficult would it have been to get just one, one person to speak on her behalf? That’s the standard norm. Even the monster Donna Adelson had that.

It’s so important to humanize victims. It bothers me for VB, she may wonder why no one defended her mother when she becomes aware of this nightmare. Nothing on record to support her mother. ‘Did my Mom have any friends?’ What is on record is what BB put out there about her mother’s character and no one refuted that.

 

[ryan8901]

Aha. I didn't hear the coroner's testimony, so I entirely missed the info.

I wanted to hear the prosecutor bring it home that a woman suffering stabs to the neck (as well as shock!) could not converse.

jmo

I just went back and looked and she testified that CB’s injuries would have limited her ability to speak.

 

[ttjo]

I just went back and looked and she testified that CB’s injuries would have limited her ability to speak.

Oh so she didnt say to Brendan “ I’m sorry, I love you”
What a complete joke that was. Pathetic, that he would even have the balls to say that in court.