A Virginia judge has ordered prosecutors to share documents about the reassignment of a digital forensic examiner in a double-killing case. Brendan Banfield is accused of plotting with an au pair to kill his wife and another man in February 2023.
Japan urges China to stop flying fighter jets too close to Japanese military aircraftCalifornia surgical center staff demand to see warrant as ICE agents detain landscaperIsrael says Iran could reach enriched uranium at a nuclear site hit by USMavericks rookie Cooper Flagg all business as he makes his professional debut at NBA Summer League'The Salt Path:' A book that captured the hearts of millions, but now mired in controversyA Denver dino museum makes a find deep under own parking lot.
Like 'a hole in one from the moon.'Image claiming to show Trump dancing with underage girl is fakePhotos of top surfing dogs catching waves at Huntington BeachA good shower is a simple shower, no matter what influencers recommendWhich strength training method is best for you? Experts break down the optionsDemocrats are becoming a force in traditionally conservative The VillagesUnderwater turbine spinning for 6 years off Scotland's coast is a breakthrough for tidal energyThe UN warns millions will die by 2029 if US funding for HIV programs isn't replacedThe US is having its worst year for measles in more than three decadesOne Tech Tip: Don't use rice for your device. Here's how to dry out your smartphoneA simple recipe for tsukudani, an everyday Japanese side dish to eat with hot riceA century after a man was convicted of teaching evolution, the debate on religion in schools ragesMigrantes deportados por EEUU podrán quedarse seis meses y trabajar en Costa RicaEl programa Head Start será eliminado para inmigrantes sin estatus legal, dice el gobierno de TrumpSatellite photos suggest Iran attack on Qatar air base hit geodesic dome used for US communicationsThe Afternoon Wire'Abolished': State Department is laying off over 1,300 employees under Trump administration planCaster Semenya's sex eligibility battle has confounded sports for 16 years and still isn't overJustin Bieber surprises fans with new album 'Swag'AP Entertainment WireA Denver dino museum makes a find deep under own parking lot. Like 'a hole in one from the moon.'Image claiming to show Trump dancing with underage girl is fakePhotos of top surfing dogs catching waves at Huntington BeachA good shower is a simple shower, no matter what influencers recommendWhich strength training method is best for you? Experts break down the optionsDemocrats are becoming a force in traditionally conservative The VillagesUnderwater turbine spinning for 6 years off Scotland's coast is a breakthrough for tidal energyThe UN warns millions will die by 2029 if US funding for HIV programs isn't replacedThe US is having its worst year for measles in more than three decadesOne Tech Tip: Don't use rice for your device. Here's how to dry out your smartphoneA simple recipe for tsukudani, an everyday Japanese side dish to eat with hot riceA century after a man was convicted of teaching evolution, the debate on religion in schools ragesMigrantes deportados por EEUU podrán quedarse seis meses y trabajar en Costa RicaEl programa Head Start será eliminado para inmigrantes sin estatus legal, dice el gobierno de TrumpU.S. News This image provided by the Fairfax County Police Department and taken on Oct. 13, 2023, was submitted as evidence in the murder case against Brendan Banfield shows a framed photo of Banfield and Juliana Peres Magalhães on his bedside table in Herndon, Va. FAIRFAX, Va. — A Virginia judge has ordered prosecutors to give the defense documentation about the reassignment of a digital forensic examiner who had been working on the case in which a man is accused of plotting with an au pair to kill his wife and another man. Fairfax Circuit Court Chief Judge Penney Azcarate on Thursday ordered Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Eric Clingan to collect and distribute any documentation of the assignment change to the defense for Brendan Banfield.The defense had also sought information on the transfer of the lead detective on the case. But the judge declined. An attorney for Brendan Banfield alleged in court this week that Fairfax County police commanders had reassigned the two employees who disagreed with the top brass’ analysis of the evidence, particularly a premise that the case involved the husband catfishing one of the victims. “It is a theory in search of facts rather than a series of facts supporting a theory,” John Carroll, Banfield’s attorney, said in court Thursday. In court, prosecutors argued officials had given over all the documentation they had in the case to the defense, objecting to notions that personnel transfers were part of criminal case evidence. Brendan Miller, a digital forensic examiner with the Fairfax County Police Department, testified Thursday that he analyzed dozens of devices and concluded Christine Banfield had connected with Ryan through a social networking platform for people interested in sexual fetishes. Miller’s analysis found that the two also chatted through Telegram, an encrypted messaging app. Ryan agreed to come to the house for what appeared to be a consensual sexual encounter. But Miller’s findings diverged from a theory held by other officials in the department that the messages Ryan was receiving were actually from Brendan Banfield posing as his wife in a ruse to lure Ryan to the Banfields’ home as a scapegoat in a double-killing scheme. Deputy Chief Patrick Brusch, who oversaw the department’s major crimes bureau at the time, confirmed in testimony that he said Miller would “never be doing another digital forensics case in your major crimes bureau” after he analyzed the evidence. Miller was transferred out of the department’s digital forensics unit in late 2024, though Brusch testified the reassignment was not punitive or disciplinary. The University of Alabama’s police department peer reviewed and affirmed Miller’s digital forensic findings, according to evidence submitted to the court by Carroll. In October 2023, the family’s au pair, Juliana Peres Magalhães, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder. She laterin what prosecutors described as a scheme to frame Ryan, a Fairfax County native, in the stabbing of Christine Banfield, a pediatric intensive care nurse. The au pair, who authorities said had a romantic affair with Brendan Banfield, agreed to cooperate with officials in their case against him. Brendan Banfield was arrested nearly a year after Magalhães. In a proffer, the au pair backed officials’ belief that the husband was behind the online account in a plot to kill his wife and stage it to look like he and the au pair shot a predator in defense. On Thursday, Clingan acknowledged there were multiple case theories among officials, but Magalhães’ account narrowed them down to one. “With 12 different homicide detectives, there were 24 different theories,” Clingan said. “Now, one theory.” Kyle Bryant, who was the lead detective on the case and was moved off the homicide team earlier this year, testified he faced mounting pressure from higher-ups at the department to support the catfish theory. Bryant testified he followed what he believed the evidence showed. “Were you ever confronted by command staff about the theory of the case that you disagreed with?” Carroll asked Bryant.Though Judge Azcarate did not find that prosecutors intentionally withheld information about Miller’s transfer, she ordered Clingan to collect and distribute any documentation of the assignment change to the defense. She did not tell prosecutors to hand over documents on Bryant’s transfer. “The transfer that gives the court pause is Miller’s because it relates to the theory of this case,” the judge said.The Pentagon acknowledges an Iranian ballistic missile hit a Qatar air base during Iran’s attack‘Abolished': State Department is laying off over 1,300 employees under Trump administration plan
John S. Carroll Virginia Christine Banfield General News Law Enforcement Homicide Forensics National VA State Wire Brendan Miller Patrick Brusch Juliana Peres Magalhes Courts Kyle Bryant U.S. News Joe Ryan
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Police chase from Montco to Bucks County ends in hourslong barricade: PoliceA suspect surrendered to police after a police chase starting in Montgomery County that ended with an hourslong standoff in Bucks County, police said.
Read more »
Day 95 at the 16th St. Plaza: Police cars, police cars, police carsPolice presence — or at least police car presence — was high on Friday afternoon at the 16th Street and Mission Street BART station plaza.
Read more »
Alligator found outside Virginia motel room escorted away by Fairfax County PoliceFairfax County Police removed an alligator from outside a Virginia motel early Monday after a caller reported spotting the reptile near their room.
Read more »
Virginia police confront 6-foot alligator at motel that escaped while en route to zoo: videoUnwelcome guest: Alligator shows up at Virginia motel after escaping while en route to zoo
Read more »
California 'No Secret Police Act' introduced, would ban police from covering their facesTwo California lawmakers introduced a measure Monday that would ban law enforcement at all levels from covering their faces amid concerns about increased immigration enforcement by the federal government.
Read more »
Day 94 at the 16th St. Plaza: Police cars, police cars, police carsPolice presence — or at least police car presence — was high on Friday afternoon at the 16th Street and Mission Street BART station plaza.
Read more »