By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2024-10-29 20:26:16 | Updated at 2024-11-05 03:40:16
6 days ago
An au pair accused of conspiring with her boss turned lover to kill his wife and a stranger in their Virginia home has taken a plea deal.
Juliana Peres Magalhaes, 24, pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the February 24, 2023, shooting death of Joseph Ryan on Tuesday, reported NBC Washington.
Last month, Brendan Banfield was indicted in the deaths of Ryan and his wife, Christine Banfield.
Police said the two worked together to lure Ryan - who had no connection to the family - to their $1 million Herndon home and staged the scene to make it look like he killed Christine.
The terms of Magalhaes' plea deal allowed her to plead guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter in exchange for her cooperation in Banfield's prosecution.
Juliana Peres Magalhaes, 24, is accused of conspiring with her boss turned lover to kill his wife and a stranger
She pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the February 24, 2023, shooting death of Joseph Ryan (pictured) as part of a deal
'Much of the information that led to this agreement cannot be made public at this time, due to the upcoming criminal trial against the other defendant in this matter,' Fairfax County Commonwealth's Attorney Steve Descano said.
The commonwealth's attorney reportedly plans to recommend her sentence be capped at time served - although her sentencing is not scheduled until March 21, 2025, after Banfield's trial is set to start.
Christine Banfield, 37, was found inside her bedroom suffering from stab wounds alongside Ryan, 39, who was shot, in February 2023 in Herndon, Virginia.
Banfield and Magalhaes, who were allegedly having an affair at the time, claimed they arrived to find Ryan attacking Christine, and both shot him.
However, Deputy Commonwealth's Attorney Eric Clingan revealed in court that blood splatter analysis showed the bodies were moved.
He said police received in August 'two definitive reports from expert forensic investigators' who spent more than a year reviewing evidence.
Christine Banfield (pictured), 37, was found inside her bedroom suffering from stab wounds alongside Ryan, 39, who was shot, in February 2023
Brendan Banfield was indicted in the deaths of Ryan and his wife. Magalhaes worked as an au pair of the Banfield's
Authorities have said the killings were part of a larger scheme between Magalhaes and Banfield, whom officials alleged began a romantic relationship in August 2022.
In the six months before the killings, Magalhaes and Banfield went on a trip to New York City together, and took romantic pictures together, Clingan said.
On the day of the killings, prosecutors said Magalhaes called 911 at least twice within minutes, but ended the calls before speaking with first responders.
More than 10 minutes later, prosecutors alleged in court, Magalhes called 911 a final time and reported the emergency.
Banfield then spoke into the phone and said he had shot a man because that man stabbed his wife.
Police soon arrived at the Banfields' home and found that Ryan had been fatally shot and Christine was suffering from stab wounds. She was taken to the hospital, where she died.
Magalhaes told police she had left the family home to take the child to the zoo but returned after realizing she had left their lunches.
Banfield (pictured) and Magalhaes, who were allegedly having an affair at the time, claimed they arrived to find Ryan attacking Christine, and both shot him
Preliminary prosecutors said that evidence suggests Ryan was gunned down as part of a scheme to get rid of Christine
She said she left the child in the basement after she and Banfield heard what sounded like an intruder before they discovered Christine being attacked.
However, prosecutors said evidence pointed to a much different story, suggesting Ryan was gunned down as part of a scheme to get rid of Christine.
Police said they uncovered evidence of a secret lovers' getaway and pointed out that just eight months after the killings Magalhaes had moved into the main bedroom.
They allege that someone created a fake account for Christine on a BDSM site and made plans to have 'rough sex' with Ryan before they were both killed.
Prosecutors also pointed out a 10-minute delay between the first 911 call being placed and Magalhaes' final call.
