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Sentencing: Brendan Banfield's Au Pair & Lover Gets Sentenced in Double Murder Trial

·1 hr 5 min·2 clips

My baby boy was born two days before Christmas. Since his murder, I haven't been able to take down my little Christmas tree.

This episode covers the sentencing hearing for Juliana Perez-Magalhaes, the au pair and lover of convicted murderer Brendan Banfield. Hosts Joel Waltman and Joe analyze the proceedings from the "Au Pair" double murder trial in Fairfax County, Virginia. The hearing determines the sentence for Perez-Magalhaes, who pleaded to manslaughter for killing Joseph Ryan and testified against Banfield. Judge Penny Azcarate presides over the case, considering a joint prosecution and defense recommendation for a sentence of "time served." Victim impact statements are delivered by Joseph Ryan's mother, Deirdre Fisher, and his aunt, Sangeeta Ryan. Fisher describes her son as her "Christmas baby," born two days before Christmas, and states his middle name, Nathan, means "gift." She reveals she greets his ashes each morning by turning on a small Christmas tree's lights. Sangeeta Ryan details Joseph Ryan's character as a caregiver for his grandparents and a rescuer of neglected dogs. The defense attorney, Mr. Campbell, argues the court should accept the time-served recommendation because Perez-Magalhaes's testimony was "integral" to convicting Brendan Banfield. He states the jury foreman told prosecutors they believed Perez-Magalhaes and disbelieved Banfield. Campbell claims Perez-Magalhaes only cooperated after Banfield's arrest broke his psychological "grip" on her. The prosecution stands by its recommendation but offers no further argument in court. Judge Azcarate lists ten aggravating factors she cannot ignore, including Perez-Magalhaes using a child as a pawn and fabricating a story for over a year that painted Joseph Ryan as a rapist and murderer. The judge notes Perez-Magalhaes shot Ryan point-blank in the heart as he lay moaning after an initial gunshot. Perez-Magalhaes gives a statement expressing remorse, saying she found God in jail and prays for forgiveness from the families. Judge Azcarate calls this "the most serious manslaughter scenario" her court has ever seen and sentences Perez-Magalhaes to the maximum ten years in prison, plus two years of suspended probation. The hosts criticize the defense attorney's presentation, suggesting he undermined his client by implying she only confessed when she realized she wouldn't get away with it. They express satisfaction with the maximum sentence, believing the judge would have given life if the charge had been murder. The tone is analytical and conversational, blending legal commentary with emotional reaction to the victim statements. The style is typical of post-trial analysis shows, dissecting courtroom strategy and outcomes. True crime listeners interested in legal procedure, sentencing hearings, and the aftermath of high-profile trials will appreciate this episode. Those seeking investigative storytelling or new case details might skip it, as the focus is solely on the sentencing event.

As heard by us

A focused sentencing review of Juliana Perez Magalhaes's cooperation and testimony in the Brendan Banfield case.

Sentencing now hangs over Juliana Perez Magalhaes, the au pair who was having an affair with Brendan Banfield and admitted firing the fatal shot at Joseph Ryan.

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Why you'd press play

Want the courtroom argument over Juliana Perez Magalhaes's sentencing recommendation, and why her testimony mattered in Brendan Banfield's conviction?

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