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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Admittedly I didn't listen to the jury instructions (are those posted online anywhere? I tried googling). But there was something about the aggravated homicide charge needing 2 people killed within 3 years or same transaction - what if the jury is convinced on Christine but not on Joe?

I guess they did not want to charge separately because of whatever sentencing attaches (?), but they kind of put the bar higher for themselves than they needed to? I understand they may have done for strategic reasons.[/quote]

Full disclosure - not a lawyer. I haven’t seen the jury instructions..I doubt they’d be posted online. I was of the understanding that juries in VA can return convictions for lesser offenses than what was charged in the indictment(s). What’s interesting is this CNN article ( https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/30/us/brendan-banfield-jury-double-murder-trial ) says “Prosecutors and Banfield’s defense attorney agreed not to offer the jury less severe homicide charges to consider against Banfield.” I’m wondering if that’s because this was charged as basically 2 premeditated murders in 1 rather than separate counts. Sorry if I’m basically just repeating your question in my response.[/quote]

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