Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Fairfax Double-Murder Trial Pauses After First Week as Prosecutors Roll Out New Evidence

New exhibits and testimony advanced a prosecution theory that the killings were staged.

Overview

  • A Virginia forensic scientist testified that Brendan Banfield’s DNA was not detected on the knife linked to his wife’s killing.
  • Prosecutors presented records showing he bought a gun within a month of the deaths, took au pair Juliana Peres Magalhães to a firing range twice, and arranged triple‑pane windows that a salesman described as uncommon.
  • Surveillance video placed Banfield at a nearby McDonald’s on the morning of the killings, which prosecutors said aligns with the au pair’s account that he was nearby before returning.
  • Detective Terry Leach described finding Joseph Ryan dead in the primary bedroom, locating a knife under blankets, and observing Banfield’s duty weapon at the scene.
  • Court will not meet Friday or Monday due to the holiday schedule, with the prosecution set to resume Tuesday after indicating only a couple more witnesses remain.