RICHMOND, VIRGINIA– A man testified Wednesday that he loved his wife and did not want to end his marriage, despite having an affair with his family’s babysitter in what turned out to be a sprawling double murder case centered around the two.
Brendan Banfield, wearing a gray suit and plaid tie, testified in a Fairfax, Virginia, court under oath about what happened the day he began cheating on his late wife, Christine Banfield, with Juliana Perez Magalhaes in what he said was a casual affair. He described Magalhaes approaching her chair during dinner one night while his wife was out of town. He testified that she followed him to his room at bedtime and he did not stop her.
But Banfield testified that he and Magalhaes did not plan to kill his wife and another man in the following months, despite what happened. Prosecutors suggest.
“I think this is a ridiculous interrogation of something that is not serious, which is that a plan was hatched to get rid of my wife,” he testified. “This is absolutely crazy.”
Banfield is accused Aggravated murder In the murder of his wife and Joe Ryan. His testimony will be key evidence that a Northern Virginia jury will be tasked with weighing this month. Banfield, who has pleaded not guilty, could face life in prison if his peers convict him.
Prosecutors say Banfield and Magalhaes lured Ryan to their home. According to officials, the two shot him, and Banfield stabbed his wife, making it appear as if Ryan was a predator stabbing Christine Banfield.
One witness who supported the plaintiffs’ theory was Magalhaes herself.
Earlier in January, Magalhaes testified that she and Banfield created an account in the name of Christine Banfield on a social media platform for people interested in sexual fetishes. There, Ryan connected to the account, and users made plans to have a sexual encounter involving a knife.
She testified to Banfield’s plan to do so He killed his wife He lives his life with Magalhaes after they begin their relationship, planning their ruse for months.
Banfield testified that the babysitter’s omission to officials was a lie, saying “there was no plan.” He also said that he and his wife had an affair throughout their 19-year relationship, but through couples therapy they decided to continue their marriage.
His testimony comes as Banfield’s attorney, John Carroll, spent much of the trial scrutinizing Magalhaes’ motives in the case. The former nanny was initially charged with second-degree murder in Ryan’s killing, but has since pleaded guilty to a reduced crime. Manslaughter charge.
For example, Magalhaes did not remember who created the email address connected to the social media account and where she and Brendan Banfield were on the day she purchased it. She testified that she did not remember who wrote the letters to Ryan. She admitted under oath to negotiating with a true crime author and producers to share her story in exchange for money.
Banfield spoke on the stand about his relationship with his wife, describing them as inseparable despite the affair. “We were together the whole time. At no time were we apart,” Banfield said.
“Did you love your wife?” Carroll asked at one point.
“A lot,” he said.
“Do you want to continue your marriage with your wife?” His lawyer said.
“Yes.”