US man who plotted with au pair to murder wife given life sentence A Virginia man, former IRS law enforcement officer Brendan Banfield, received a life sentence without parole for the murder of his wife and a man lured to their home as a fall guy. Prosecutors argued Banfield and the family’s au pair, Juliana Peres Magalhães, orchestrated the killings. The judge condemned Banfield’s actions as evil and calculated, noting the impact on their four-year-old daughter.

• Brendan Banfield, a former IRS law enforcement officer, was sentenced to life in prison without parole for murder.
• He was convicted of killing his wife and Joseph Ryan, who prosecutors claim was lured to the couple’s home as a fall guy.
• Prosecutors stated Banfield and the family’s au pair, Juliana Peres Magalhães, planned the murders.
• Banfield was also convicted of child endangerment and a firearms charge, receiving additional sentences.
• During sentencing, Banfield proclaimed his innocence and stated he loved his wife.
• The judge cited Banfield’s lack of remorse as a factor in her decision.
• Victims’ families shared emotional statements about Christine Banfield and Joseph Ryan.