Fairfax County Double Murder

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Odds on 20/20 or 48 Hours having a team embedded during the trial?

Anyone seen Keith Morrison??

[Anonymous]

Thank you to everyone for keeping this thread updated. So relieved at the guilty verdict. RIP Joe and Christine

[Anonymous]

Video at the link

“I didn’t believe a single word that came out of his mouth!”

Meredith Sanders, friend of Christine Banfield, reacts to the GUILTY verdict of Brendan Banfield and condemns his behavior throughout the trial in an interview with CourtTV’s @KellyKrapfEsq
.


https://x.com/CourtTV/status/2018465962895220804

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s tough bc BB testified that his daughter talks to him every night. She prob misses him so much. Cutting off contact immediately would prob not be what a judge stands for.
It’s a tough situation there. I’m not even sure what the best approach would be, a child psychologist would be best to follow the case.

It’s a really horrible situation because from the child’s perspective right now it will be another loss. Still, I can’t imagine long term that it would be in her best interest to continue this level of contact with Brendan. It seems like it would only make the inevitable rug pull worse when she’s older. She’s a victim of his actions as much as anyone. It does not seem right for him to have a level of access where he can just continue his manipulation.

I also understand family court weighs continuity strongly and that legally they were in a bit limbo with a parent who is incarcerated but not convicted. I hope that post conviction things can be weighed differently. It isn’t a situation that can just be brushed under the rug. Unfortunately there is going to come a time when Christine’s daughter will learn a lot of these facts. It seems like Christine’s family would be better positioned to support her in this next phase of life, since they are also coping with this. Leaving her with people who are in denial and pushing daily contact with her mother’s murderer seems like a sacrifice of her long term interests in order to prevent short term upheaval.

She deserves to know about her mother, and to be able to openly remember her and celebrate her memory.

In one of Brendan’s letters before he was arrested he describes the environment there as openly hostile. It was hard to read that and think about Christine’s daughter. But I know that she will continue to draw on Christine’s love and strength throughout her life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you all think that Christine’s parents or other family members will seek custody of the child? I know it will be hard for her to be moved now but she has been living with essentially an accessory after the fact to the crime, right? If Fairfax doesn’t prosecute Tess for anything related to the case, do Christine’s family have any chance of custody? Have they tried for custody ever in these years?

Maybe family member. Parents seem very old to take care of a kid.

And what do you think Tess is like? I envision an ogre 👹 plus the great grandmother lives with them in that house of horror!

Christine has a sister. Her father testified and was quite coherent and composed facing that monster. Her mother will fight to the death for custody.

Former au pair will absolutely step in. She has posted a lot about Christine on Instagram. She’s devastated. From the pics she posted of her wedding, it appears that Christine was matron of honor and Valerie was flower girl. IIRC, they talked every week. I did not stalk her socials. Someone posted a link in Reddit. She’s a lovely girl.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s tough bc BB testified that his daughter talks to him every night. She prob misses him so much. Cutting off contact immediately would prob not be what a judge stands for.
It’s a tough situation there. I’m not even sure what the best approach would be, a child psychologist would be best to follow the case.

It’s a really horrible situation because from the child’s perspective right now it will be another loss. Still, I can’t imagine long term that it would be in her best interest to continue this level of contact with Brendan. It seems like it would only make the inevitable rug pull worse when she’s older. She’s a victim of his actions as much as anyone. It does not seem right for him to have a level of access where he can just continue his manipulation.

I also understand family court weighs continuity strongly and that legally they were in a bit limbo with a parent who is incarcerated but not convicted. I hope that post conviction things can be weighed differently. It isn’t a situation that can just be brushed under the rug. Unfortunately there is going to come a time when Christine’s daughter will learn a lot of these facts. It seems like Christine’s family would be better positioned to support her in this next phase of life, since they are also coping with this. Leaving her with people who are in denial and pushing daily contact with her mother’s murderer seems like a sacrifice of her long term interests in order to prevent short term upheaval.

She deserves to know about her mother, and to be able to openly remember her and celebrate her memory.

In one of Brendan’s letters before he was arrested he describes the environment there as openly hostile. It was hard to read that and think about Christine’s daughter. But I know that she will continue to draw on Christine’s love and strength throughout her life.

The environment where?

[Anonymous]

I hope the au pair gets significant jail time but I know she won’t since she cut a deal.

She is just as guilty. She should rot in jail also. She moved right into his room thinking that this was her happily ever after.

She is a skanky whore and should rot also.

[Anonymous]

The foreperson of the jury seemed quite emphatic about the verdict. I imagine that reflects the mood of the jury. Thank you to the jury members - they listened to the whole trial, studied all the evidence, including the photos and chilling exchanges between Joesph and the fake account, and BB and JM, and will have to remember the details for a lifetime.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

The environment where?

In between Juliana’s arrest and Brendan’s, he sent her a letter in jail where he was complaining to her about his hardships and says it’s openly hostile at the house between him and his mom.

It was released in one of the last trial exhibit drops. I will find the link. If anyone here is in contact with Christine’s family, make sure they know about this exhibit as it may not have been released before but could be a factor in their custody case.

https://webcache.fairfaxcounty.gov/circuitcourt/Evidence%20Admitted%20January%2029%2C%202026/CW%20245%20BB%20letter%20to%20JPM%20bike%20riding%20memories%20not%20signed.pdf

It is at the start of the second page of this letter.

[Anonymous]

I’m so glad they found the POS guilty.
Just curious, why was he allowed to wear regular clothes during this trial instead of an orange jumpsuit?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I believe JM's sentencing is Feb 13th. Hopefully we will hear from the victim's on that day as well.

I personally think it would have been harder to convict him without her testimony. We hear on this site have Al kinds of facts an have seen all kind of great arguments. Not the jury. I think they needed her. I am not saying we thank her, but let her go back to Brazil. Good riddance.

[Anonymous]

He wore a suit because wearing a jumpsuit would make the jury prejudice that he looks like he should be imprisoned. Of course he had the option to dress how he wanted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m so glad they found the POS guilty.
Just curious, why was he allowed to wear regular clothes during this trial instead of an orange jumpsuit?

Defendants are typically allowed to wear street clothes during trials because the jury may see a jumpsuit and assume guilt.

[Anonymous]

Au pair will get 10 years. MARK MY WORDS.

[Anonymous]

I tink she'll get the full 10 years, too.