48 Hours – Inside the Banfield Trial: Guilty Verdict

Host: Anne-Marie Green
Guest: Michelle Sigona (48 Hours Producer)
Air Date: February 3, 2026

Overview

This episode dives deeply into the sensational "Banfield Trial," centering on the murder convictions of Brendan Banfield for the deaths of his wife, Christine Banfield, and Joseph Ryan. The trial, dubbed the 'au pair affair,' is discussed in detail, highlighting courtroom dynamics, critical digital evidence, and conflicting testimonies—especially between Banfield and the family’s former au pair, Juliana Perez Magaliz. The episode features host Anne-Marie Green and 48 Hours producer Michelle Sigona, who together break down both the prosecution and defense narratives, offering insights into the investigation's twists, the emotional weight of the trial, and its lasting impact on the victims’ loved ones.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Case Background and Verdict

• [02:52] Anne-Marie Green introduces the case: Brendan Banfield was found guilty of two counts of aggravated murder, child endangerment, and use of a firearm. The case was nicknamed "the au pair affair" due to Banfield’s extramarital relationship with their live-in nanny, Juliana Perez Magaliz.
• Juliana pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter for the shooting of Joseph Ryan and testified against Banfield.

2. Core of the Case: "He Said, She Said"

• [04:09] Michelle Sigona describes the trial as boiling down to the conflicting stories between Brendan and Juliana, noting only four people truly knew what happened, and two are deceased.
  • Memorable Quote:
    • "There are only four people who know what really happened, and unfortunately, two have died. This is all about Brendan versus Juliana." – Michelle Sigona [04:30]
• Prosecutor Jenna Sands argued that Brendan and Juliana colluded to kill Christine and Joe Ryan, creating fake online personas to lure Joe and stage the crime scene.
  • Quote:
    • "Brendan Banfield and Juliana Perez Magalis colluded to kill Joseph Ryan and Christine Banfield... Then they called the police. Brendan let Juliana take the fall, and ... here we are, and it's his turn to be held accountable." – Jenna Sands [04:44]
• Brendan’s attorney, John Carroll, countered that Juliana fabricated her testimony to secure a plea deal.
  • Quote:
    • "Juliana made it up. She told the Commonwealth what they wanted... She told this lie to secure herself a deal that benefited her." – John Carroll [05:37]

3. Juliana's Testimony and Alleged Plot

• Juliana was hired in 2021 to care for the Banfield's daughter, Valerie. She claimed the affair with Brendan began in August 2022, and, under his direction, a fake digital identity was crafted to lure Joseph Ryan for a staged violent sexual encounter intended to frame him for Christine’s murder ([06:13]).
• The prosecution believed digital evidence—FetLife and email accounts—supported Juliana's version, while the defense argued one couldn’t prove who was behind the screens ([07:28]).

4. Brendan Banfield Takes the Stand

• [07:55] Unusually, Brendan testified in his own defense, his first complete account since the crime.
• He claimed Juliana initiated the affair, describing it as just "an affair," not a serious relationship, and further alleged Christine also had affairs, including one involving BDSM ([08:58]). Michelle points out these claims are unsubstantiated and criticized the defense for attacking the victim’s character.
  • Quote:
    • "It felt like that part about Christine having affairs was just sort of slipped in... The defense can make any kind of claim about a victim. And unfortunately, Christine is not here to be a voice and to defend herself." – Michelle Sigona [09:58]

5. The Nature of the Relationship & Murder Plot

• Brendan minimized the seriousness of his relationship with Juliana, arguing the affair was too new (6-8 weeks) to have plotted murder ([13:08]).
  • Quote:
    • "It's an absurd line of questioning for something that is not serious... that a plan was made to get rid of my wife. That is absolutely crazy." – Brendan Banfield (via attorney) [12:39]
• Prosecutors pressed on the love letters from Brendan to Juliana, suggesting deeper feelings than he admitted ([12:13]).
• Discrepancy over gunshots and murder preparations at the shooting range: Brendan claimed Juliana just "tagged along" while prosecutors saw it as part of the plot ([13:55]).

6. Events of the Day: Who Did What, When

• On the day of the murders (Feb 24, 2023), the prosecution argued Brendan and Juliana staged a zoo trip for their daughter as a cover, lured Joe to the house, and manipulated events via digital communication ([18:02]).
• A surprise witness, Brendan's acting supervisor, testified to refute Brendan's alibi about a scheduled work meeting ([18:59]).
• Juliana claimed she parked nearby to keep the house in view while orchestrating the set-up. Contrarily, Brendan described innocently going to McDonald's and not coordinating with Juliana ([20:53]).

7. Contradictory Accounts: The Murders Themselves

• Juliana's testimony: She saw Brendan shoot Joe and stab Christine, then shot Joe again herself.
• Brendan's account: Upon hearing “sexual noises,” he went to the bedroom, saw Joe with a knife at Christine’s neck, tried to de-escalate, watched Joe stab Christine, then shot Joe ([21:43]–[22:07]).
  • Quote:
    • "I was extremely terrified. I don't know that I've ever been more panicked in my life." – Brendan Banfield [21:43]
  • He was unclear about some details, including not seeing the knife clearly due to Christine's hair, and later claimed Juliana shot Joe with his gun.
• Prosecution grilled Brendan on why he did not act sooner to protect Christine, why he didn't use his handcuffs, and inconsistencies in his actions as a trained law enforcement officer ([24:12]–[25:45]).
  • Quote:
    • "You just couldn't pull the trigger, could you?" – Jenna Sands [25:23]
    • "I was afraid." – Brendan Banfield [25:26]

8. Crucial Evidence—911 Call Timing

• The sequence of 911 calls became pivotal. Juliana's initial 911 call, allegedly made too early, contradicted Brendan’s testimony. An expert tried to verify from audio (dog whining) when and where the call was placed ([27:51]).

9. Child Endangerment and Emotional Impact

• Valerie, the Banfields’ four-year-old daughter, was in the basement during the murder. Prosecution challenged why Brendan didn’t ensure Valerie’s safety ([28:32]).
  • Quote:
    • "Why would you not get your child out of that situation?... At any point, she could have walked up the stairs at any point." – Michelle Sigona [29:01]

10. Reflections on the Trial and the Victims

• Michelle Sigona notes Brendan’s awkward presence on the stand and highlights Christine’s memory as a mother, nurse, and beloved friend ([29:51], [30:42]).
  • Quote:
    • "Christine, from everything I've been able to learn, was a nurse, she was a mom, you know, a dedicated mother... This is such a tragedy." – Michelle Sigona [30:42]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the essence of the case:
  "This is all about Brendan versus Juliana." – Michelle Sigona [04:30]
• Prosecutor’s narrative:
  "They created accounts... shot him. Brendan stabbed Christine, let her bleed out on the floor, and then dripped, smeared, and wiped her blood on Joseph Ryan's body to make it look like he had attacked Christine." – Jenna Sands [04:44]
• On intrusive defense tactics:
  "The defense can make any kind of claim about a victim. And unfortunately, Christine is not here to be a voice and to defend herself." – Michelle Sigona [09:58]
• On the murder plot timeline:
  "At this point, our relationship is maybe six to eight weeks old... I think that it's an absurd line of questioning..." – Brendan Banfield [13:08]
• Confronting the accused:
  "You just couldn't pull the trigger, could you?" – Jenna Sands [25:23]
  • "I was afraid." – Brendan Banfield [25:26]
• On the tragedy for the family:
  "I think about Valerie, I think about this little girl growing up without her mom. And it is... heartbreaking." – Michelle Sigona [30:42]

Key Timestamps

• 02:52 – Case introduction and verdict announcement
• 04:09 – Breakdown: The conflicting narratives between Brendan and Juliana
• 06:13 – Details of the alleged plot and digital evidence
• 08:06–13:44 – Brendan's testimony, his perspective on the affair, and the murder plan
• 17:45–19:58 – Chronology of events the day of the murders, witness testimonies
• 20:53–23:57 – Differing accounts of the murders; analysis of 911 calls and forensic details
• 24:03–27:51 – Prosecutor’s intense cross-examination, 911 call timing disputes
• 28:32–29:35 – Discussion on child endangerment and parental responsibility
• 29:51–31:17 – Michelle Sigona’s courtroom observations and Christine’s legacy

Tone & Style

The conversation is direct, candid, and at times emotionally raw, balancing sharp legal analysis with sensitivity to the tragedy at the heart of the case. The hosts employ a journalistic yet compassionate tone throughout, digging into both procedural complexities and the human toll.

For listeners seeking in-depth understanding of the Banfield trial, this episode delivers a nuanced narrative, exposes the challenges of truth-seeking amid conflicting testimonies, and honors the enduring pain of those left behind.