Husband in au pair affair testifies on killings of wife, another man

Brendan Banfield claims he did not want to shoot the man he says killed his wife

Jan. 29, 2026 at 7:07pm

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In a northern Virginia courtroom, Brendan Banfield testified that he did not fatally stab his wife Christine in 2023, but instead shot the man, Joseph Ryan, who he says was holding a knife over his wife. Banfield claims he was hoping to de-escalate the situation and did not want to shoot Ryan. However, prosecutors have been telling a different story, alleging that Banfield stabbed his wife and lured Ryan to the house to frame him.

Why it matters

This case highlights the complexities and contradictions in a high-profile murder trial, where the husband's account differs significantly from the prosecution's narrative. It raises questions about the thoroughness of the police investigation and the reliability of witness testimony, especially given the husband's affair with the family's au pair.

The details

Banfield testified that he woke up, showered, and said goodbye to his wife before leaving for an important work meeting, which his boss later said was not on the calendar. Prosecutors allege that Banfield stabbed his wife and lured Ryan to the house, while Banfield claims he shot Ryan, who was holding a knife over his wife. The au pair, Juliana Peres Magalhães, has testified that she and Banfield created a social media account in Christine Banfield's name to lure Ryan for a sexual encounter involving a knife.

  • Brendan Banfield testified on Thursday, January 29, 2026.
  • Christine Banfield was killed in 2023.

The players

Brendan Banfield

The defendant, a former IRS law enforcement officer, who is on trial for the aggravated murder of his wife Christine Banfield and Joseph Ryan.

Christine Banfield

Brendan Banfield's wife, who was killed in 2023.

Joseph Ryan

The man Brendan Banfield claims he shot, who was holding a knife over Christine Banfield.

Juliana Peres Magalhães

The family's au pair and Brendan Banfield's romantic partner, who has testified that she and Banfield created a social media account to lure Ryan.

Jenna Sands

The chief deputy commonwealth's attorney prosecuting the case.

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What they’re saying

“I don't know that I've ever been more panicked in my life. I was hoping to de-escalate the situation. I did not want to shoot him. I wanted him to let her go.”

— Brendan Banfield, Defendant

“You are contending, again, these feelings — these very strong feelings, these 'let's be together for the rest of our lives' feelings — did not exist when your wife was alive, correct? And they certainly did not motivate you to kill your wife?”

— Jenna Sands, Chief Deputy Commonwealth's Attorney

“Definitely not.”

— Brendan Banfield, Defendant

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Brendan Banfield out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the complexities of a high-profile murder trial, where the husband's account differs significantly from the prosecution's narrative. It raises questions about the thoroughness of the police investigation and the reliability of witness testimony, especially given the husband's affair with the family's au pair.