The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are simply that.

Opinions.

All are presumed innocent until proven otherwise in a court of law.

Sensitive topics are discussed.

Discretion is advised. I'm Viti Pawlton, the subject of my investigation, the Opaire Affair murder trial.

It's the story of a man accused of creating a sick, twisted plot to murder his wife so he could be

with the much younger au pair. Here's the story. The affluent suburbs of Northern Virginia,

the stage for one of the most shocking trials in recent memory. Prosecutors say former IRS agent Brendan Banfield plotted an elaborate murder scheme to kill

his wife, Christine, and a stranger, Joseph Ryan, in their Herndon, Virginia home in February

of 2023 so he could be with the family's live-in opair, Juliana Magalise.

Jurors heard how Banfield posed online under his wife's identity to lure Ryan for a sexual

encounter involving a knife, then shot him, instead Christine, attempting to stage the scene

as an intruder attack. The O'Pair pleaded guilty

to manslaughter in Ryan's death and testified for prosecutors. Meanwhile, Bannfield took the stand

in his own defense, admitting to the affair, but denying any murder and contradicting the

Opares testimony now all the evidences in the arguments have been made and

it's time for the jury to speak and speak they did loudly and clearly in this

case nine days of evidence just under nine hours of deliberation did loudly and clearly in this case.

Nine days of evidence, just under nine hours of deliberation, the jury came back.

Let's take a look at that dramatic moment inside the courtroom.

Juror number nine, you were the four person in this case. Is that correct?

Yes, Your Honor. All right. And are these the verdicts of the jury yes it is and are they

...