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

[ryan8901]

Totally agree - it wasn't just a husband tired of his wife. He wanted to humiliate and hurt Christine both physically and emotionally in her dying moments. He wanted his side-chick to be there for it and he used his daughter in the plot (and exposed her to the violence even if she was downstairs).

Sicko.

jmo

The more I’ve studied the case the more I’m convinced he hated her. This wasn’t just him wanting to be with the side chick, he despised his wife.

 

[sunspun]

People are having conversations about it, it’s on many sites and platforms(R). It’s concerning that some people are thinking ‘reasonable doubt’ because of the prosecution.

So you mean there are people who think he won't be found guilty? (There always are!)

But if they think he's innocent (I believe he's 100% guilty!)... but if innocent, then the au pair would have to be totally fabricating her testimony, which I guess means they must think she's the one who killed CB. They must think that she's the one who did all the things she has accused BB of doing.

Is that even possible? Would that fit in with all the evidence and testimony? So she would've set up the whole Fetlife catfishing scam w/out BB's knowledge/participation, somehow managed to have access to CB's devices in ways and at the times that it would appear that CB was the user... I don't think that's possible since it required two people to do some of it, didn't it? So they could make it look like CB was the one doing it in a way that would later fool investigators, in the inevitable future investigation of her death.

Some of the tactics they used were things BB was aware of because of his job as an agent, things JM would have no way of knowing. IMO, there are multiple reasons that prove JM couldn't have accomplished all of it alone.

Besides, then on the day of the murder, what would've realistically happened if JM was the only guilty party? BB would've rushed home, with no idea what was about to happen, rushed into the house, and found what? JR stabbing his wife? Isn't that what he claimed he saw when he entered bedroom? But that makes no sense.

JM said that she saw BB stab CB, all "part of the plan". Why would BB say he saw JR stab CB? If it really was true that JM made it all up and devised and carried out the plan by herself, then he would've seen JM, not JR, stabbing CB.

There is no story that makes sense that ends up with JR stabbing CB. Even if we can accept the very dubious story that JR talked to CB online and then came to the house secretly planning to stab CB, then why does JM make up this whole story about BB's "plan"? She wouldn't. If JR was really the only guilty one, then JM would never have "made up" all this about BB's plan. She would've blamed it all on JR if he really had been the bad guy.

She had no reason to lie and blame BB if JR was really the one to blame.

If BB knew that JM was going to reveal the truth about "the plan" and that BB was the killer, then BB should have told a totally different story in which JM was the killer. He should have lied and blamed it all on her. He should've told the same story he did tell, up to the point where he says he got to the bedroom and saw JR stabbing CB. At that point, he should've said he saw JM stabbing CB. And I guess he would've said that JM had already shot JR dead before he arrived.

But that would mean he had to immediately blame JM to the cops who arrived on the scene. But he couldn't blame her, until he knew that she was blaming him. He would've had to wait to see if she was going to roll on him, before he blamed her. But by that point, he would have already told his other made-up story about JR stabbing CB, and it would be too late to say it was JM actually.

So there's no way it would have worked for him to blame JM unless it was from the start. So he had to stick to the script and blame JR. Which he did.

But then JM decides to tell everything. Too late for BB to change his story. But there's no way she would've made up her story if she could've just continued to blame JR. So hers has to be the truth. His must be the lie. And it just so happens that his lies match up with what she said he would say, according to "the plan."

There is no possible way he can be innocent. If anyone is claiming he is innocent, they just need to think it through more, because it can never make sense. In a world where JM has revealed the plan and blamed it all on BB, it can never make sense that BB really saw JR stab CB. And in this world, JM did reveal the plan and blame BB. So it must be true that BB is lying. He's lying, because he's actually the one who killed her. Could he be lying when he said JR killed her, but NOT be the killer? I don't think so. Even if he lied and blamed it on JR because JM did it, and he blamed JR to protect JM, then BB would still have to be guilty of being in on the plan. He would be the accessory, which is just as guilty. He would have had to go along with the whole plan from the start, meaning he was equally as guilty. We could obsessively explore whether it's possible that JM came up with the plan and stabbed CB herself, with BB going along with everything and blaming JR, but it would make no difference. I think if we did, we'd find proof that that also made no sense and thus was also not possible. But even if not, BB is still just as guilty in that scenario, so I think I'll quit thinking about it now!

I never thought he didn't do it, but hearing that there are people who think he didn't do it made me think I should really study it and try to find a way that he could be innocent. But I can't come up with any way that makes sense, given JM's testimony.

And it has to make sense!

 

[Recidivist]

I think rather than people thinking he could be innocent, there might be people who think the state hasn't proven it.

 

[LetsSolvIt]

Agree 100% about JM panicking...I think hatching the plans was exciting for her but the reality was too much. She is young, in another country and while she appears cold on the stand got to wonder what is going on in her mind as this unfolds. She is guilty right along with BB . AFter watching that scene how could she move in his bedroom or even stay in the home at all. I just don't get it. We know nothing of her background in Brazil....maybe she has seen more than I think.

Or been more than a nanny. Ah-hum. OMO.

 

[LetsSolvIt]

Gezz, local TV news and local papers, Facebook etc?
I can't imagine anyone in the area not being glued to the story and gossiping.

Betcha every mom who had an au-pair went on high-alert.

imo

And put ankle monitors on husbands.

 

[mickey2942]

The more I’ve studied the case the more I’m convinced he hated her. This wasn’t just him wanting to be with the side chick, he despised his wife.

I completely agree. He was a federal tax officer, a lot of people in that position expect attention when telling people what they do for work. And I have no doubt, professionally, he was completely eclipsed by his wife. And that she made more money than he did, was probably even more galling.

 

[LifeIsAMystery]

Or been more than a nanny. Ah-hum. OMO.

She trained as a nurse in Brazil, that was said to be one of the reasons CB picked her.

 

[LetsSolvIt]

Something to listen to while we await the verdict …

BODY BAGS WITH JOSEPH SCOTT MORGAN | Au Pair Love Triangle Murder Trial: What Does the Forensic Evidence Show? | 1 Feb 2026

 

[Luna20]

So you mean there are people who think he won't be found guilty? (There always are!)

But if they think he's innocent (I believe he's 100% guilty!)... but if innocent, then the au pair would have to be totally fabricating her testimony, which I guess means they must think she's the one who killed CB. They must think that she's the one who did all the things she has accused BB of doing.

Is that even possible? Would that fit in with all the evidence and testimony? So she would've set up the whole Fetlife catfishing scam w/out BB's knowledge/participation, somehow managed to have access to CB's devices in ways and at the times that it would appear that CB was the user... I don't think that's possible since it required two people to do some of it, didn't it? So they could make it look like CB was the one doing it in a way that would later fool investigators, in the inevitable future investigation of her death.

Some of the tactics they used were things BB was aware of because of his job as an agent, things JM would have no way of knowing. IMO, there are multiple reasons that prove JM couldn't have accomplished all of it alone.

Besides, then on the day of the murder, what would've realistically happened if JM was the only guilty party? BB would've rushed home, with no idea what was about to happen, rushed into the house, and found what? JR stabbing his wife? Isn't that what he claimed he saw when he entered bedroom? But that makes no sense.

JM said that she saw BB stab CB, all "part of the plan". Why would BB say he saw JR stab CB? If it really was true that JM made it all up and devised and carried out the plan by herself, then he would've seen JM, not JR, stabbing CB.

There is no story that makes sense that ends up with JR stabbing CB. Even if we can accept the very dubious story that JR talked to CB online and then came to the house secretly planning to stab CB, then why does JM make up this whole story about BB's "plan"? She wouldn't. If JR was really the only guilty one, then JM would never have "made up" all this about BB's plan. She would've blamed it all on JR if he really had been the bad guy.

She had no reason to lie and blame BB if JR was really the one to blame.

If BB knew that JM was going to reveal the truth about "the plan" and that BB was the killer, then BB should have told a totally different story in which JM was the killer. He should have lied and blamed it all on her. He should've told the same story he did tell, up to the point where he says he got to the bedroom and saw JR stabbing CB. At that point, he should've said he saw JM stabbing CB. And I guess he would've said that JM had already shot JR dead before he arrived.

But that would mean he had to immediately blame JM to the cops who arrived on the scene. But he couldn't blame her, until he knew that she was blaming him. He would've had to wait to see if she was going to roll on him, before he blamed her. But by that point, he would have already told his other made-up story about JR stabbing CB, and it would be too late to say it was JM actually.

So there's no way it would have worked for him to blame JM unless it was from the start. So he had to stick to the script and blame JR. Which he did.

But then JM decides to tell everything. Too late for BB to change his story. But there's no way she would've made up her story if she could've just continued to blame JR. So hers has to be the truth. His must be the lie. And it just so happens that his lies match up with what she said he would say, according to "the plan."

There is no possible way he can be innocent. If anyone is claiming he is innocent, they just need to think it through more, because it can never make sense. In a world where JM has revealed the plan and blamed it all on BB, it can never make sense that BB really saw JR stab CB. And in this world, JM did reveal the plan and blame BB. So it must be true that BB is lying. He's lying, because he's actually the one who killed her. Could he be lying when he said JR killed her, but NOT be the killer? I don't think so. Even if he lied and blamed it on JR because JM did it, and he blamed JR to protect JM, then BB would still have to be guilty of being in on the plan. He would be the accessory, which is just as guilty. He would have had to go along with the whole plan from the start, meaning he was equally as guilty. We could obsessively explore whether it's possible that JM came up with the plan and stabbed CB herself, with BB going along with everything and blaming JR, but it would make no difference. I think if we did, we'd find proof that that also made no sense and thus was also not possible. But even if not, BB is still just as guilty in that scenario, so I think I'll quit thinking about it now!

I never thought he didn't do it, but hearing that there are people who think he didn't do it made me think I should really study it and try to find a way that he could be innocent. But I can't come up with any way that makes sense, given JM's testimony.

And it has to make sense!

He is guilty just like OJ was. There are some that think the state didn’t prove it without reasonable doubt. I think it was so choppy that for some people it was confusing. If someone only catches part of the trial, they make assumptions about what they saw.

Hoping for a quick verdict!

 

[mickey2942]

He is guilty just like OJ was. There are some that think the state didn’t prove it without reasonable doubt. I think it was so choppy that for some people it was confusing. If someone only catches part of the trial, they make assumptions about what they saw.

Hoping for a quick verdict!

As much as I did not like the deal with JM. She is completely believable. I did not see anything in the testimony of BB that was able to refute her testimony. And, as I said before, it makes absolutely no sense for a woman to plan to have an affair/fantasy with a man, at her own home, with her child and nanny home. No one is that stupid.

 

[Inthedetails]

He is guilty just like OJ was. There are some that think the state didn’t prove it without reasonable doubt. I think it was so choppy that for some people it was confusing. If someone only catches part of the trial, they make assumptions about what they saw.

Hoping for a quick verdict!

The prosecution didn't "bring it home," to make it abundantly clear he is guilty. I think the evidence is there but would've liked a strong closing statement that reviewed everything and tied details together. That didn't happen.

But, the jury will take the time to discuss the testimony and see the holes, the lies, the planning. Even if the prosecution wasn't that great, I still am thinking the jury will find him guilty.

jmo

 

[Luna20]

As much as I did not like the deal with JM. She is completely believable. I did not see anything in the testimony of BB that was able to refute her testimony. And, as I said before, it makes absolutely no sense for a woman to plan to have an affair/fantasy with a man, at her own home, with her child and nanny home. No one is that stupid.

Agree! JM couldn’t have set this up on her own. But BB set it up for her to take the blame. CB had a husband, child and nanny in her home. There is no way that would happen at a personal residence with others present, especially her child.

 

[ChrisInPhilly]

I watched most of the trial. IMO (1) common sense tells me that JR would never injure anyone and (2) BB testimony was complete fabrication especially the part about speaking to his wife (the scene had to be complete bedlam), can't really imagine a person so wicked.

 

[jeff2034]

That’s what I was told here. I thought about Christine saying to BB, he has a knife. If she had arranged the hookup, I don’t think she would have said that. Violence to a safe degree was part of the arrangement, so she wouldn’t have been real concerned about a visual aid. I have no experience with Fet life but I was told that guns, handcuffs, ropes, various knives, medical equipment, etc are not unusual in this lifestyle.

I agree, if this was all arranged by Christine as the defense claims, wouldn't the first thing she would logically say when BB came into the room was something like "Brendan everything is all right, this was all arranged.. put down your gun!" So even BB's testimony about CB saying "he has a knife" doesn't align logically with the defense's claim.

 

[Izzylizzy]

Uploaded 1 hr ago
Can't wait to hear what Whitney(Peter's wife) has to say and I have a feeling what it will be,

Episode 70. Au Pair Affair Trial Week 3: Big George + Whitney's Take on Brendan's Version of Events​

.

 

[Inthedetails]

Fingers crossed for a verdict today.

 

[pseudo_hum]

Fingers crossed for a verdict today.

Me too. I wished that they allowed write-in votes.

 

[Inthedetails]

Me too. I wished that they allowed write-in votes.

I'd like to see a WS forum where people could ask us advice.

Should I sleep with the father of the kid I'm nannying? No.

Should I sleep with the nanny? No, but if you're seriously interested, get a divorce first.

Should I answer a fetish ad for someone I never met: No. (Not blaming JR for his death, but wish we could've stopped him from going to the house that day.)

We could prevent many tragedies.

 

[turaj]

Man on trial in Virginia accused of plotting double murder with Brazilian au pair

The prosecution alleges that Brendan Banfield lured a stranger to the family home to kill his wife as part of a murder plot, which he denies. The family's au pair, Juliana Peres Magalhaes, has agreed to testify against Banfield as part of a plea deal.

news.sky.com

I attached two pics of JM. Actually, I think Christina is beautiful. Far prettier than JM. BB was just tired of her.

the real frustrating thing is JMP will go back to Brazil to live her life and make a lot of money selling the story to Netflix etc. I don't think there are laws that prohibit this but hope I am wrong.

 

[turaj]

I think rather than people thinking he could be innocent, there might be people who think the state hasn't proven it.

exactly but the lack of an impressive prosecution cannot be a reason to vote NG. Anyone can process that evidence. To be he looks exactly like someone that could do this and his taking the stand sealed my vote.