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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][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]

PP here. I just looked up the VA Codes. The statutory minimum for First Degree Murder (of 1 person) is 20yrs, max is Life. The minimum for Aggravated murder is Life. I do think your question about setting the bar high is a good one. Personally, I think he’ll be found guilty, but we’ll see about the possibility of a hung jury. IMO, no chance at a not guilty verdict.[/quote]

They really wanted to put him in for life then and may have worried about a compromised verdict. But I'm curious what the CW had to prove in order to show that he "killed" two people. Is it enough that he set the whole thing up? That he told Juliana to shoot? Or did he need to deliver the kill shot to Joe for it to qualify? Maybe a VA criminal lawyer will chime in and reassure me![/quote]

Listen to the prosecuter at closing arguments for your answer. It is enough to be involved/participating in the murder ro count under the law, it doesnt matter what shot actually killed Joe. And Brendan admitted to shooting Joe in the 911 call. [/quote]

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