Overview
- Juliana Peres Magalhães took the stand and described a plan she says she and Brendan Banfield devised to kill his wife, citing his fears over custody and finances.
- Magalhães, 25, previously pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and agreed to cooperate with the Commonwealth in Banfield’s trial.
- The prosecution outlined an alleged sequence in which Banfield shot Joseph Ryan, fatally stabbed Christine Banfield, and directed Magalhães to fire a second shot, with 911 calls played in court.
- The defense rejects that account, asserting digital forensics will show Christine Banfield engaged Ryan on the site and arguing Magalhães changed her story after securing a plea deal.
- The February 24, 2023 killings led to Magalhães’s arrest in October 2023 and Banfield’s indictment in September 2024; Banfield faces aggravated murder and child-related charges, a potential life sentence, and a trial expected to run four weeks.