48 Hours: Inside The Banfield Trial – Au Pair Testifies

Host: Ann Marie Green
Guest: Michelle Sigona (48 Hours Producer)
Date: January 16, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of “48 Hours” delves into the sensational trial of Brendan Banfield, a former IRS agent accused of a calculated plan to murder his wife, Christine, and subsequently shoot Joseph Ryan inside their Northern Virginia home. Central to the prosecution is testimony from the family's former au pair, Juliana Perez Magalese, whose account of the events, motivations, and aftermath is reshaping perceptions about the case dubbed “the au pair affair.” Host Ann Marie Green and producer Michelle Sigona guide listeners through courtroom highlights, legal intrigue, and the intimate details revealed in Juliana’s pivotal testimony.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Stage: The Case and Its Players

• The Crime: Brendan Banfield is charged with the stabbing murder of his wife, Christine, and shooting Joseph Ryan. Brendan claims Joseph killed Christine, and he killed Joseph in self-defense.
• Central Witness: The family's Brazilian au pair, Juliana Perez Magalese, was involved in both relationships and the crime itself. She pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter (Joseph Ryan’s death) and is now the prosecution’s star witness.
• Public Attention & Trial Context:
  • Case unfolding in the same courthouse and under the same judge as the infamous Johnny Depp-Amber Heard trial (04:18).
  • No cameras in court, but national attention reminiscent of other high-profile cases.

2. Prosecution’s Narrative: Alleged Murder Plot

• The Motive: Prosecutor Jenna Sands alleges Brendan wanted full custody of his daughter and considered a hitman, but instead crafted a direct scheme with Juliana to murder Christine.
  • Quote (Prosecutor Jenna Sands, 03:13):
    “He wanted her out of the picture, and he convinced young Juliana...that they should get rid of Christine...They crafted a plan...get this guy to come into the house and fake rape Christine. Brendan would be the hero of the day...kill the guy, kill his wife, pretending that it had been that guy.”
• The Catfishing Plot: Using “FetLife” (a fetish website), Brendan and Juliana catfished men in Christine’s name (specifically as "Anastasia") to lure someone who would bring restraints and a knife to the house, setting up Joseph Ryan (07:06–08:27).

3. The Au Pair Takes the Stand

• Surprise Early Testimony: Juliana appears early in the trial, looking markedly different from past images—darker hair, muted clothing, glasses (05:18).

• Her Testimony:

  • Lived and worked with the Banfields for two years.
  • Relationship with Brendan evolved over time; affair is not disputed (06:18).
  • Brendan wanted out of marriage, pressing for full custody, citing money as a factor (06:18).
  • Describes the plot to stage an attack with Joseph Ryan as the unwitting accomplice/victim (07:06–08:27).

• Communications with Joseph Ryan:

  • Exchanges between “Anastasia” and Joseph on Telegram included requests about physical harm, knife pics, and timing (08:27–09:08).
    • Quote (court message read, 08:27):
      “Some marks are okay. As long as they are covered by my clothes, I have a few days to heal up.”

4. Day of the Crime: Detailed Prosecution Timeline

• Event Unfolds (09:25–11:47):
  • Brendan disables locks, turns off Christine’s phone, leaves the house early with Valerie and Juliana (“fake zoo trip”), and coordinates Joseph’s arrival for a staged attack.
  • Juliana acts as lookout, Valerie is in the car, Joseph enters the house.
  • Christine is unaware and still in bed as Joseph enters.
• Quote (Prosecutor Jenna Sands, 09:41):
  “On February 24, 2023, Brendan Banfield’s birthday, the plan was put into action...he chats with Joe to confirm a 7:20 arrival for the execution of the fake rape...Brendan leaves the house, followed shortly by Juliana...Juliana has a gun in her pocket..."

5. The Violence: Inside the Bedroom

• Juliana’s Testimony (11:47–14:44):

  • She enters bedroom after Brendan, hears Christine scream, “Brendan, he has a knife!” Brendan shoots Joe.
  • Christine is alive, tells Juliana to call 911; Juliana dials then hangs up, allegedly at Brendan's gesture.
  • Juliana claims she later witnesses Brendan stabbing Christine; she covers her eyes and ears at times.
  • When Joe moves, Juliana fires the gun at Joe—claims Brendan gave her the go-ahead.
    • Quote (Juliana Perez Magalese, 14:08):
      “I just start telling him, he’s moving, he’s moving. He’s behind you. And that’s when I fired the shot, too.”
    • Further clarification (14:23–14:44):
      “A gun...The gun that...I had in my pocket...The handgun...Yes...Joe.”

• 911 Call Replay:

  • First, Juliana calls (15:01): “My friend, she just wasn’t stuck in the mic. Now he’s bleeding a lot. I don’t know what to do anymore.”
  • Brendan’s turn: “My name is Brendan Banfield...I shot him. He stabbed her. She’s bleeding. She’s got several marks on her neck. What do I do?” (15:17)

6. Aftermath, Arrests, and Strategy

• Immediate Aftermath:

  • Valerie, the couple’s young daughter, is in the basement throughout; Brendan faces additional charges of child abuse and neglect (15:45).

• Police Arrests:

  • Juliana was initially arrested in October 2023—was then living with Brendan, in Christine’s bedroom (17:50–18:19).
  • Brendan arrested a year later, September 2024 (19:28).

• Notable Post-Crime Behavior:

  • Juliana “slipped right into Christine’s place” both domestically and emotionally, even after her arrest; Brendan’s mother supported Juliana’s defense (19:02–19:23).

7. The Plea Deal and Witness Motivation

• Juliana’s State in Custody:
  • Presented as deeply bonded to Brendan, writing that she’d “give her life” for him and “take the blame for both of us” (Michelle Sigona, 19:59–21:02).
  • Suffered from depression, anxiety, considered suicide in jail, began medication (20:00–21:02).
  • Ultimately took plea deal and agreed to testify after financial and emotional support from Brendan’s family collapsed post-Brendan’s arrest (21:24).
  • Letters from Juliana’s mother urge her not to let Brendan’s mother cut off support (21:24).

8. Defense Challenges

• Questioning Juliana’s Motivation and Memory:
  • Defense attorney John Carroll tries to undermine Juliana’s reliability, suggesting her memory is poor, details are lacking, and there’s motive to shift blame.
  • Exchange (23:39–23:47):
    Carroll: “...you don’t remember a lot of details.”
    Juliana: “Well, if you wear my shoes, you don’t remember either. Your brain has a way to...it protects you from losing your mind...many things our brain blocks out. I guess everybody can relate to that at some point.”
• Attacks on Character & Financial Motive:
  • Implies Juliana is motivated by money—dependency on Brendan’s mother; discusses potential profit from media attention (25:05).
  • Explicitly mentions that CBS News never pays for interviews, clarifying for the court (25:05–26:02).

9. Looking Ahead

• Upcoming Trial Elements:
  • Defense signals plans to scrutinize the catfishing narrative further and challenge police handling of the case (26:12).
  • Prosecution’s witness list is extensive; trial scheduled for four weeks but “it’s anyone’s guess” how long it will run (26:12–26:47).
  • Unclear if Brendan Banfield will testify.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “He wanted her out of the picture, and he convinced young Juliana...they should get rid of Christine...They would use Christine’s email accounts to create a fake profile to lure someone in...Brendan would be the hero of the day...”
  — Prosecutor Jenna Sands (03:13)

• “Her hair is now completely dark. She had glasses on. It was a. A muted version of her.”
  — Michelle Sigona, describing Juliana’s court appearance (05:18)

• “If you wear my shoes, you don’t remember either. You know, your brain has a way to—a defense mechanism, it’s called...our brain blocks out. And I guess everybody can relate to that at some point.”
  — Juliana Perez Magalese, on memory lapses (23:47)

• “I just start telling him, he’s moving, he’s moving. He’s behind you. And that’s when I fired the shot, too.”
  — Juliana Perez Magalese, recounting the shooting of Joseph Ryan (14:08)

• “It’s exactly what it seems like. And then, not only does she do that, but according to Juliana, this relationship continues after her arrest...His mom, apparently, is paying for her defense attorney at this point.”
  — Michelle Sigona, on the post-crime relationship and family dynamics (19:06)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:13] — Prosecutor outlines alleged murder plot.
• [05:18] — Juliana Perez Magalese’s unexpected early testimony and changed appearance.
• [07:06] — Details of the catfishing plot and FetLife communication.
• [09:41] — Prosecution details step-by-step plan for crime day.
• [12:10] — Juliana testifies about witnessing the crime.
• [14:08] — Juliana describes firing the gun at Joseph Ryan.
• [15:01] — 911 call audio following the incident.
• [17:50] — Discussion of police arrests and timing.
• [19:59] — Juliana’s letters from jail, state of mind, and decision to take the plea deal.
• [23:39] — Defense challenges Juliana’s memory.
• [25:05] — Defense questions her financial motives and media interest.
• [26:12] — Preview of trial’s next steps and witness strategies.

Episode Tone & Style

This episode maintains a highly detailed, journalistic tone, balancing narrative storytelling with legal intricacies and the psychological underpinnings of the relationships at the case’s core. It leverages both hosts’ reporting backgrounds to provide clarity and insight, while also including genuine moments of emotional reaction and reflection (“I can't even imagine this child being in this house in this particular situation...” — Michelle, 15:45). The interplay is respectful, analytical, and often incredulous at the implausible facts revealed in court.

Conclusion

“Inside The Banfield Trial: Au Pair Testifies” offers listeners an immersive, real-time look into a deeply complex and disturbing criminal case, seen through the eyes of its most unexpected witness. The episode is thorough in its breakdown of the prosecution’s and defense’s narratives, focusing especially on Juliana Perez Magalese’s testimony and the emotional, psychological, and legal battles that lie ahead.