Episode Details

The prosecution's case against Brendan Banfield lives or dies with Juliana Peres Magalhaes. She's the only witness who says he planned the murders. She's also the woman who took a plea deal that lets her walk free if she delivers. Retired FBI Special Agent Jennifer Coffindaffer joins True Crime Today to analyze the credibility of a star witness with everything to gain and nothing to lose. Juliana was charged with murder. She spent a year in jail telling police the same story Brendan did — that Joseph Ryan was an intruder and they shot him in self-defense. 

Then she changed her story. She pleaded guilty to manslaughter. She got time served. She gets deported to Brazil. Her sentencing is scheduled after Banfield's trial to ensure continued cooperation. In a letter from jail, she wrote that she was "heartbroken for doing this to Brendan" and that she loved him. But she wanted to be with her mother again. Coffindaffer has worked with cooperating witnesses throughout her FBI career. In this interview, she explains how prosecutors prepare a witness whose motivation to lie is obvious, what corroborating evidence the jury should demand, and how the defense will try to destroy Juliana's credibility on cross-examination. The prosecution claims Juliana was reluctant and told it was "too late to back out." The defense says she's lying to save herself. The jury decides.

#BrendanBanfield #TrueCrimeToday #JulianaPeresMagalhaes #JenniferCoffindaffer #FBI #AuPairMurder #PleaDeal #StarWitness #MurderTrial #TrueCrimeNews

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