Juliana Peres Magalhaes, a Brazilian au pair, pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the fatal shooting of Joseph Ryan at the Virginia home where she worked for Brendan and Christine Banfield. Christine Banfield was also found dead with stab wounds on the same day. Brendan Banfield is facing charges in connection to both deaths, with his trial scheduled for February. Peres Magalhaes faces up to 10 years in prison, with her sentencing set for March. Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano called the plea deal a significant step forward in the case, noting that important information cannot be disclosed yet due to the ongoing trial against Brendan Banfield. Initially, Peres Magalhaes was charged with second-degree murder, but through the plea deal, the charge was downgraded to manslaughter.
Authorities believe Peres Magalhaes and Brendan Banfield had an affair and conspired to kill his wife so they could be together. The theory suggests that Ryan was led to the Banfields’ home under false pretenses, resulting in his death. Evidence from a shooting range visit and the purchase of a gun from that range before the murders supports the prosecutors’ theory. Peres Magalhaes confessed that after Banfield shot Ryan initially, he instructed her to retrieve the gun and shoot Ryan again, as the first shot did not kill him. Brendan Banfield has maintained his silence, invoking his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. The case continues to unravel, shedding light on the complex relationships and events that led to the tragic deaths.
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