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

[Inthedetails]

Does anyone think acquittal is a realistic option? I think it’s a conviction or at worse a hung jury.

No.

For all we know, they are not in agreement over the child endangerment charge.

I'm not worried yet.

jmo

 

[Kelly C]

When will we get a verdict i wonder?

 

[Lawnguylander1964]

My fellow jurors were a mix of being paid and not being paid, about 50/50. And about 50% of the ones who were being paid were having the $50 deducted from their pay for each day served.

When we arrived on day 1, there were 175 people called for that day. There were 2 murder trials that week, so the first jury was the first 5 groups called and I was in the second group called. They took 25 people into a conference room because there was no place to sit. Every chair and flat surface had someone there except for the judge's chair.

There were another bunch of people who could not afford to not get paid for 10 days. They were allowed to leave and cancel their further jury duty.

In the end, after each lawyer asked a series of questions about the case (things like can you look at the evidence without getting sick) there were 30 people left after lawyer challenges were dismissed.

Considering we had a bunch of alternates, it was cutting it pretty close.

 

[Megnut]

No if they don't find aggravated murder (premeditated murder of both) it's not guilty.

Judge's jury instructions
1.17.16

Please, I'm begging you, tell me it's just on that charge.

They were separated charges so they could iiuc find him not guilty of murdering CB but find him guilty of murdering RJ. Even if JM fired the fatal shot, as an accomplice, he'd still be guilty, as if he fired the second shot, right?

Please.

We're closing in on 8 hours. I did not expect this...

 

[Starlight0229]

Please, I'm begging you, tell me it's just on that charge.

They were separated charges so they could iiuc find him not guilty of murdering CB but find him guilty of murdering RJ. Even if JM fired the fatal shot, as an accomplice, he'd still be guilty, as if he fired the second shot, right?

Please.

We're closing in on 8 hours. I did not expect this...

Both charges are aggravated murder which requires murder of at least two people. Once charge is for both within one transaction or occurrence, and the other is for both within three years. I believe there was a jury instruction that indicated that if they believed that BB was a participant in the situation that he should be found guilty even if they thought it was JM that delivered the fatal shot.

 

[JoeFromLB]

I'm starting to get worried why it's taking so long....

Same here. Hoping it's not a hung jury.

 

[Tortoise]

Please, I'm begging you, tell me it's just on that charge.

They were separated charges so they could iiuc find him not guilty of murdering CB but find him guilty of murdering RJ. Even if JM fired the fatal shot, as an accomplice, he'd still be guilty, as if he fired the second shot, right?

Please.

We're closing in on 8 hours. I did not expect this...

The two charges of aggravated murder are both for the premeditated killings of Christine and Joe.

One of them is for two murders within 3 years, the other one is for two murders within the same act/transaction.

You're right about the second part - if Juliana fired the fatal shot he'd be equally guilty if they find they conspired to kill.

That's my understanding.

 

[Inthedetails]

Same here. Hoping it's not a hung jury.

Can I toss a crumbled up piece of paper through the jury-room window that says, "There was no work meeting that morning."

jmo

 

[Inthedetails]

The two charges of aggravated murder are both for the premeditated killings of Christine and Joe.

One of them is for two murders within 3 years, the other one is for two murders within the same act/transaction.

You're right about the second part - if Juliana fired the fatal shot he'd be equally guilty if they find they conspired to kill.

That's my understanding.

I honestly (hopefully?) am thinking it could be the child endangerment charge that is slowing them down.

jmo

 

[Tortoise]

Can I toss a crumbled up piece of paper through the jury-room window that says, "There was no work meeting that morning."

jmo

And another one that says 'It was Joe Ryan groaning on the 911 call, 15 minutes before help was summoned for Christine'

 

[rescuemom]

There is so much evidence to go over and all jurors must be on the same page on all counts before they return a verdict. I’m not worried yet.

if they can make out any of this defense case evidence they are better than I am. What a mess!!!!!!

 

[Tortoise]

I honestly (hopefully?) am thinking it could be the child endangerment charge that is slowing them down.

jmo

Honestly, if they've agreed he planned to kill two people with firarms and knives and his daughter could have run to him at any moment, it's a no-brainer. I'm not sure it's that that's keeping them.

 

[I am not Sherlock H.]

From following this case a bit lately, and the way the prosecutor’s presentation seemed to have gone ‘in’ to the jury….. perhaps a hung jury might be better in some respects? Better than acquittal IMO.

And IMO still not pleased with how the matter of the au pair was handled in terms of charges and an apparent plea allowance. Would have hoped if any evidence that there was untruthfulness on the part of JM it could be stricken or enhanced sentence given. A hung jury would IIUC allow them to try the case again. Not sure how the au pair matter factors in if it does hang. IANAL. MOO

 

[Wishbone]

From following this case a bit lately, and the way the prosecutor’s presentation seemed to have gone ‘in’ to the jury….. perhaps a hung jury might be better in some respects? Better than acquittal IMO.

And IMO still not pleased with how the matter of the au pair was handled in terms of charges and an apparent plea allowance. Would have hoped if any evidence that there was untruthfulness on the part of JM it could be stricken or enhanced sentence given. A hung jury would IIUC allow them to try the case again. Not sure how the au pair matter factors in if it does hang. IANAL. MOO

Such a travesty that she is getting such a plea deal. Makes me not even want to follow this trial. disgusting.

 

[ryan8901]

What happens to JPM’s sentencing if there’s a hung jury?

 

[ttjo]

Such a travesty that she is getting such a plea deal. Makes me not even want to follow this trial. disgusting.

Do you think they absolutely needed her testimony to convict him?

 

[Megnut]

I'm preparing myself for a no-verdict Monday.
We're nearing the end of their regular day. Unless they ask to get dinner and keep working, I'm expecting the clock to pause soon, for the day.

 JMO

 

[Lawnguylander1964]

WUSA stepped away a while ago. They've been re-running the interview with Joseph Ryan's mother most of the day.

She is livid with Court TV and Nancy Grace in how they described her son. They won't be getting any interviews with her anytime soon.

 

[LifeIsAMystery]

Please, I'm begging you, tell me it's just on that charge.

They were separated charges so they could iiuc find him not guilty of murdering CB but find him guilty of murdering RJ. Even if JM fired the fatal shot, as an accomplice, he'd still be guilty, as if he fired the second shot, right?

Please.

We're closing in on 8 hours. I did not expect this...

He fired the first shot at JR, not the second.

No one can predict what the jury will do.

 

[ttjo]

He fired the first shot at JR, not the second.

No one can predict what the jury will do.

So if he was shot in the head and then in the chest and they say the shot to the chest was the fatal shot…? ( i hope I have that right)
Can someone explain the waterfall charges? Why all or nothing?