Michelle Sigona (48 Hours producer)

So we had the guilty verdict and then the sentencing now.

I should note that the day before the sentencing, Banfield's defense attorney tried to get the murder verdict thrown out, but the judge dismissed his motion.

As for the sentencing itself, it was an opportunity for family members now to really tell the judge more about their loved ones, more about what they have lost.

So let's start by hearing from Christine's older sister, Danielle Hawker.

Yeah, I mean, even Brendan talks about that.

We'll get to that later.

But I mean, she was so dedicated, particularly through the pandemic when it was very grueling work.

She also obviously had some very strong words for her brother-in-law, Brendan, particularly in regards to his allegations that his wife, Christine, had also been unfaithful.

And then we also heard about family.

Joe Ryan because sort of, you know, during the trial, we only really know him as the man from FetLife fetish app, right, who falls victim to this murder plot.

For Brendan, he is nothing but a pawn.

It could have been Joe Ryan.

It could have been anyone else who kind of showed up.

And so hearing from his mother and his aunt, it really humanized him.

I mean, Michelle, here's the thing, right?

Whatever he was sort of involved in, this is supposed to be consenting adults.

There's nothing wrong with this sort of behavior.

And it's also just one aspect of a person's life.

You know, clearly it was much more than that.

Yeah, absolutely.