Banfield murder trial LIVE UPDATES: Brendan Banfield to take the stand

Brendan Banfield trial: Banfield will take the stand in his own defense

Court resumed on Friday in the Brendan Banfield murder trial in Fairfax County, where the defense is expected to conclude witness testimony. FOX 5's Bob Barnard was in the courtroom. 

FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. - Court resumes Friday in the Brendan Banfield murder trial in Fairfax County, where the defense is expected to conclude witness testimony.

5 p.m. - Court in recess / testimony resumes next week

Court ending today with the defense still questioning PI Harry Lidsky.

It's scheduled to start again early next week, but the exact day is dependent on how severe the snowfall is this weekend.

When court does come back, the prosecution will have a chance to cross-examine Lidsky and possibly Barreiro.

Brendan Banfield is expected to take the stand later that week. 

4:26 p.m. - PI back as likely final witness of the day

Private investigator Harry Lidsky is back on the stand after spending most of the day there testifying.

Lidsky's testimony has focused on the "digital fingerprint" of the case, casting doubt on the claims that Brendan Banfield and Juliana Peres Magalhães were catfishing Joseph Ryan.

3:51 p.m. - Calling a remote witness

A witness called by the defense will be testifying remotely, with proceedings going slightly out of order to accommodate the technical hurdle.

This testimony is expected to last the rest of the day, meaning if Brendan Banfield does testify it will be next week – weather permitting. 

On the stand is Nick Barreiro, an audio video forensic analyst.

2:35 p.m. - Telegram call

The investigator discussing a call between an account belonging to Joseph Ryan and accounts allegedly belonging to Christine Banfield.

Ryan spoke with someone for 45 minutes about their plans. It's unclear, if not Christine, who Ryan was speaking with.

1:00 p.m. - Timing on devices

The testimony this morning has focused on devices allegedly used as part of the catfishing scheme. The private investigator being questioned by the defense focuses on the seconds between scheme-relevant sites – like messages on telegram or fetlife – and unrelated uses related, like visiting websites related to Christine's work.

The defense is trying to show it would be difficult for someone to be using the catfishing apps without Christine's awareness.

10:55 a.m. - Private Investigator testifying

A private investigator is testifying this morning about the contents of Christine Banfield's phone.

It's part of an ongoing effort by the defense to disrupt the prosecution's catfishing theory the case against Brendan Banfield is built on.

Attorney John Carroll also saying this morning that Brendan Banfield will be testifying, likely as their final witness in the case. 

What we know:

On Thursday, defense attorneys focused on what they described as a rift within the Fairfax County Police Department over early theories in the case. 

Several detectives took the stand as the defense attempted to show jurors there was disagreement within the department about how the investigation unfolded and that some officers were transferred after questioning the direction of the case.

READ MORE: Blood evidence, bodycam audio, and the defense strategy in the Banfield trial

Brendan Banfield murder trial: Defense highlights disputes over homicide investigation on Day 7

Day seven of the Brendan Banfield murder trial wrapped up on Thursday in Fairfax County. The defense put forward concerns about how the homicide investigation was conducted. FOX 5's Bob Barnard reports.

Banfield is accused of conspiring with his family’s au pair to kill his wife and a man allegedly lured to the home to be framed for the crime.

The defense is expected to conclude witness testimony Friday before the trial moves toward closing arguments.

READ MORE: Banfield murder trial LIVE UPDATES: Homicide detective says supervisors pushed catfish theory