What to Know The Northern Virginia man accused of masterminding an elaborate sex fetish murder plot to kill his wife testified in his defense today. Brendan Banfield, a former IRS officer, is charged with killing his wife, Christine Banfield, and a stranger, Joseph Ryan. He took the stand yesterday and said the accusation that he plotted Christine's murder was "absolutely crazy." But he also testified that he had other affairs before his affair with Peres Magalhães and that Christine also had affairs. Brendan Banfield took the stand again today.