Virginia man in 'au pair affair' case sentenced to life over wife's murder

FAIRFAX, Va. (CN) — After a defiant Brendan Banfield told a packed courtroom Friday he had been wrongly convicted of the murder of his wife and another man, a judge said his crimes were among the worst she’d encountered and sentenced him to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

“I was found guilty of a crime I did not commit,” Banfield said, as he stood to address the court. Reading from a statement, he maintained detectives improperly handled the investigation by ignoring or suppressing evidence.

But a jury convicted Banfield earlier this year of aggravated murder in the gruesome Feb. 24, 2023, killings of his wife, Christine Banfield, 37, and Joseph Ryan, 39, Chief Fairfax Circuit Court Judge Penney Azcarate noted.

When Banfield, 40, finished speaking, Azcarate told him, “You should understand that you have been found guilty of crimes that five short years ago would have carried a sentence of death.”

Life in prison is a sentence reserved for very few people “whom the community has determined should never walk free again. It is a harsh sentence, but in this case, it is a justified one,” she said.

The judge, who has announced plans to retire, reflected, “In the 18 years I have been on the bench, I have seen hundreds of defendants appear before me. And I have had the arduous task of sentencing these individuals.”

At times, people make mistakes or are struggling with substance abuse disorders or act out in anger, she said. Just twice before, she said encountered something different — individuals who were remorseless and calculated.

“As I listened to the evidence in this case and listened to your testimony, it is apparent that I am once again looking at that sort of evil," Azcarate said.

Prosecutors contended Banfield was having an affair with Juliana Peres Magalhães, 25, the family au pair, and did not want to share custody of his daughter. Instead of a divorce, they plotted to kill Christine Banfield.

As part of the ruse, Banfield had Magalhães pose online as his wife purportedly seeking someone interested in a rape fantasy, according to prosecutors. When sending messages, they used Christine Banfield’s cellphone or laptop. On the day of the murders, Ryan arrived at the Banfield home for what he believed was a consensual encounter. In reality, he had been set up as an intruder that Banfield would fatally confront, providing an alibi for the murders.

“The disregard of the life of your wife, someone who you supposedly loved, is almost unfathomable," Azcarate said, looking directly at Banfield. “Scheming for months a master plan with so many moving parts, including deception and manipulation. Luring a completely innocent man into your trap. Continuing on after the murders without a care and not once thinking of the impact on Christine’s daughter.”

One day, the judge predicted, the child will understand what was taken from her. The then-4-year-old girl was at home during the killings. Banfield’s sentencing also included five years for child endangerment and three years for use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.

In Banfield’s version of events, he left for work on the morning of the murders but returned after being summoned by Magalhães, who was nearby and saw a man entering the home. He said he thought he had discovered his wife in an affair and didn’t think of calling 911.

During a confrontation, Banfield said Ryan stabbed Christine and Banfield then shot Ryan. He claimed Magalhães, who had followed him up the stairs, retrieved a gun and shot Ryan again because he was still moving.

Azcarate pointed out the jury did not find Banfield’s story credible. She added she hoped Banfield would one day become tortured by his actions.

“The level of cruelty, calculation and inhumanity in this case reflects something far deeper than anger or impulse. It reflects evil,” she said.

Magalhães, an au pair from Brazil, previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter for her role in the killings. She was sentenced to 10 years in confinement.