Brazilian Au Pair’s Testimony Sheds Light on Double-Murder Trial
Day Two of Trial Focuses on Motives and Evidence
The mental state and motivations of Juliana Peres Magalhaes, the Brazilian au pair who is testifying against her former employer, Brendan Banfield, were central to the second day of his double-murder trial. Banfield, 40, faces murder charges for the February 2023 deaths of his wife, Christine Banfield, and a stranger, Joseph Ryan.
Prosecutors in Fairfax County, Virginia, allege that Banfield orchestrated a scheme to frame Ryan for his wife’s death in an attempt to avoid divorce as his affair with the au pair progressed. Banfield has pleaded not guilty, and a conviction could result in life imprisonment.
Magalhaes, 25, accepted a lesser charge of manslaughter in a 2024 plea deal with prosecutors. Her testimony at the trial claims Banfield sought to evade marital responsibilities by creating a fabricated narrative. She asserted that she and Banfield used Christine’s laptop to establish a fake account on FetLife.com, a BDSM and kink community website, to lure Ryan into their home under the pretense of a “fake-rape fantasy.”
Magalhaes told the court that the pair planned to tell police they shot Ryan after he stabbed Christine. However, Banfield’s defense challenged the prosecution’s claims, arguing that the fake account was not truly representative of his wife’s identity.
Magalhaes was arrested on suspicion of second-degree murder eight months after the incident. In 2024, she pleaded guilty to the reduced manslaughter charge, and her sentencing is contingent upon her cooperation with authorities. It could potentially be tied to the time she has already served.
Defense Questions Magalhaes’ Motivation for Plea Deal
During cross-examination on Wednesday, defense attorney John Carroll scrutinized Magalhaes’ reasons for accepting the plea deal. He had her review letters written after her October 2023 arrest, including one to Banfield’s mother where she stated her willingness to “take the blame” for both of them.
“I’d give my life for his, and I would never do anything to hurt him or against him,” she wrote. “Whatever they’re saying, whatever they want to believe, I don’t care. I’ll take the blame for the both of us.”
Magalhaes also revealed that she was in contact with Banfield’s family, partly because they were covering her legal fees. In another letter to Banfield, she expressed reluctance to spend life in prison for a crime she did not commit.
Further letters presented in court showed her affection for Banfield, but also growing frustration with her attorney and the lack of support from him. She wrote that she was upset with him for not visiting frequently and feared a lifelong prison sentence.
Magalhaes was also…
