Judge could limit jury from hearing domestic violence claims in Mamta Kafle Bhatt murder trial
Judge limits abuse claims in Mamta Kafle Bhatt murder trial
A judge has limited the mention of abuse claims in the Mamta Kafle Bhatt murder trial, set to start in October.
MANASSAS PARK, Va. - New details are emerging in the murder case against Naresh Bhatt as attorneys prepare for trial in the death of his wife, Mamta Kafle Bhatt.
What's happening in court
A judge is weighing what the jury will be allowed to hear regarding past statements Mamta made about alleged domestic violence.
The judge may allow two of Mamta's statements about domestic abuse to be used during court proceedings. Other statements may be brought up by prosecutors, but could face hearsay objections. Bhatt's public defender is actively pushing to prohibit prosecutors from mentioning any abuse accusations during the trial.
Additionally, court proceedings will feature four translators—one more than the standard three. Discussions are also underway regarding an expert witness on PTSD and whether that expert needs to meet with Bhatt again before proceedings begin.
READ MORE | New forensic evidence emerges in Mamta Kafle Bhatt case
Police address case challenges
Bhatt is charged with murdering his wife and defiling and concealing her body. Mamta was last seen in July 2024, and her body has not been found.
City of Manassas Park Police Chief Mario Lugo, who led the investigation, told FOX 5 that details surrounding Mamta's domestic violence accusations are important evidence. He noted that while missing physical evidence presents challenges, digital records have been crucial.
"It brings some challenges, but you know everything has a digital print now," Chief Lugo said. "We're able to see things—the physical body, not having that in our control, but the digital print that people leave behind is remarkable and says a lot, especially in these type of cases."
Chief Lugo added that police made every attempt to locate Mamta and that the evidence presented at trial will reflect the extensive work put into the investigation from the beginning.
READ MORE | Disappearance Mamta Kafle Bhatt: One year later, Manassas Park mom remains missing
What's next:
Pre-trial hearings will continue on Sept. 17 and Sept. 25.
While the trial is currently scheduled to begin Oct. 5 and is expected to last at least seven weeks, Bhatt's defense team plans to request a delay to the start date.
The Source: Information in this article is from court officials.