Banfield murder trial LIVE UPDATES: Defense tackling Brendan Banfield catfishing claims

Day 6: Emotional Bodycam Audio and Expert Testimony Shape the Banfield Trial

The Brendan Banfield murder trial entered a critical new phase as the defense formally began presenting its case in Fairfax County. In this episode, we break down a dramatic day in court that included a failed motion to dismiss, emotional body-worn camera audio from the hospital, and testimony aimed at reframing how jurors see Brendan Banfield. The jury heard audio of Banfield learning that his wife had died, watched him visibly react in court, and listened as defense experts challenged the prosecution’s bloodstain analysis and digital evidence tied to the alleged plot. Our team explains why the defense focused on credibility, emotion, and forensic uncertainty — and what it could mean as the trial moves toward closing arguments. With questions still looming about motive, expert testimony, and the investigation itself, the path to a verdict is beginning to take shape. Keep up with the latest in the case LIVE on FOX LOCAL, plus on FOX 5 DC's YouTube and TikTok.

FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. - The defense is set to begin presenting its case Wednesday in the Brendan Banfield murder trial in Fairfax County.

Find live updates below. Watch the trial live in the player above, on FOX LOCAL, FOX 5 DC's YouTube page and on TikTok.

5:00 P.M. Could finish this week

Court will resume 30 minutes early tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. and end 30 minutes later, around 5:30 p.m. The judge also asking the jury to consider staying and deliberating on Friday, despite an earlier ruling that they would not meet on Fridays.

It's part of an effort to finish the trial this week ahead of a snowstorm that could determine whether this is a two week trial or a four week trial.

3:38 P.M. Defense call Miller back to talk about the ‘digital fingerprint’ of the case

The defense is continuing to try and distance Brendan Banfield from the Fetlife account that set up the encounter between Christine Banfield and Joseph Ryan. Experts called by the defense claim the evidence suggests Christine was using the site.

2:43 P.M. Private investigator examines catfishing claim

Private investigator Harry Lidsky is on the stand reviewing the digital evidence of the case, setting up a discussion about the catfishing claims.

2:20 P.M. Police on the stand

The Defense has called Brendan Miller from the Fairfax County Police Department to the stand.

Miller was a digital forensic analyst on the Banfield case and says he was not voluntarily removed from that role. Miller was on the stand for around ten minutes, with very little information shared about the case.

2:09 P.M. Blood spatter analysts in conflict

Singley, the analyst called as a witness for the defense, starts by disagreeing with the prosecution's analysis yesterday of the scene.

12:45 P.M. Forensic testimony continues

Forensic scientist LeeAnn Singley is testifying about blood spatter at the scene and other forensic evidence.

Part of her testimony was that perpetrators of murders sometimes self-inflict wounds.

11:16 A.M. Footage of Brendan being told of Christine's death

Brendan Banfield crying in the courtroom as the footage is replayed of him leaning about Christine Banfield's death.

The audio playing in the courtroom includes the moments after a nurse told Brendan that his wife was dead.

10:58 A.M. Body camera footage

Defense is opening with body camera footage showing the aftermath of the murder.

The footage includes audio of Brendan Banfield talking with police, asking whether he can ride in the ambulance with his wife and asking about what's happening with his daughter.

10:00 A.M.

The backstory:

Prosecutors rested Tuesday, arguing that the killings were part of an elaborate plot carried out by Banfield and his mistress, the family’s au pair, Juliana Peres Magalhães.

Banfield murder trial: Defense to begin presenting case Wednesday

The defense is set to begin presenting its case Wednesday in the Brendan Banfield murder trial in Fairfax County.

FOX 5’s Melanie Alnwick reports the defense objected repeatedly during testimony from blood‑pattern analyst Iris Dalley Graff, who walked jurors through crime scene photos.

Banfield murder trial: Defense to begin presenting case Wednesday

She highlighted blood on Joseph Ryan’s body that appeared to run in different directions, with some drops seemingly falling from above. Prosecutors suggested the scene had been staged and that Ryan was moved after he was shot.

Banfield murder trial: Blood spatter analysis, victim's father takes the stand

Day five of Brendan Banfield's murder trial wrapped up with the defense requesting to have the au pair's testimony thrown out as unreliable, which the judge denied. Victim Christine Banfield's father took the stand, and a forensic analyst spoke on the evidence of blood spatter found at the crime scene.

Banfield murder trial: Defense to begin presenting case Wednesday

The testimony moved slowly, with numerous objections and even an attempt by Banfield’s attorney, John Carroll, to end the trial. Prosecutor Jenna Sands pushed back, saying the case remains strong.

Graff also pointed out blood spatter on Banfield’s jeans and drip patterns on his shoe. DNA testing showed the blood belonged to Christine Banfield. The defense argued those stains came from Brendan trying to save his wife.

The final witness of the day was Christine Banfield’s father, who testified that she had medical conditions that caused her to bruise and bleed easily.

The judge also allowed child endangerment charges to move forward, based on testimony that the Banfields’ 4‑year‑old daughter was brought into the home before the murders.