In the murder trial of a Virginia federal agent accused of killing his wife, the Brazilian au pair of his mistress testified about a disturbing plan they allegedly devised to frame another individual for the crime.
Juliana Perez Magalhães, 25, revealed in court that her boss, Brendan Banfield—a former IRS special agent—created a fake profile on a fetish site to stage what appeared to be a violent home invasion. This plan was meant to help him find someone who could identify his wife’s murderer, as reported.
Magalhães detailed how Brendan used a photo of his deceased wife, Christine Banfield, to lure Joseph Ryan to their home in Herndon, Virginia, in February 2023.
During opening statements, prosecutors alleged that Brendan posed as his wife, providing Ryan with specific instructions to enact a brutal sexual fantasy.
Prosecutor Jenna Sands explained that Brendan fabricated a story wherein Christine supposedly wanted to be raped, instructing Ryan to follow through on these violent acts upon entering the house.
On the morning of the alleged murder, Magalhães and Banfield’s daughter waited in a car for Ryan to arrive.
As part of their scheme, once Brendan arrived, Magalhães called Christine, knowing her boss had shut off his phone. She then contacted her boyfriend, claiming there was an intruder in the house.
Afterward, Brendan returned to his parents’ house, leaving the children in the basement while he and Magalhães went upstairs, where an unsuspecting Christine believed she was being attacked.
Christine screamed about having a knife, as Magalhães recounted. Then, Brendan allegedly shot her to make it seem like he had saved her from an invasion.
Magalhães testified about the chaos that followed, stating she covered her eyes and ears as Brendan attacked Christine.
She described feeling blood on her hand and found herself in a horrific scene, with blood also soaking through her clothing.
Prosecutors asserted that Brendan manipulated the crime scene to appear as though a home invasion had failed, while Magalhães made a 911 call, proclaiming that Ryan had attacked Christine.
In the lead-up to the murder, Brendan reportedly altered his routine, trying to create an alibi for the time of the planned assault.
Magalhães recalled him acknowledging his need for an alibi and adjusting his schedule accordingly.
Previously, she had shared how she and the couple had grown closer starting August 2022.
During the trial, Brendan’s attorney claimed that Magalhães was arrested in an effort to shift blame onto his client.
Magalhães is set to plead guilty to manslaughter in October 2024, with sentencing to follow Brendan’s trial.
If found guilty, the former IRS agent could face life in prison.
The trial is expected to last around four weeks.
