Fairfax County judges reject over two dozen plea deals, pushing back on leniency
In a rare clash from the bench, Fairfax County judges have rejected more than 24 negotiated plea agreements over the past year, citing sentences deemed too lenient and prosecutors failing to fully disclose the brutality of offenses. The scrutinized cases involve child abuse, domestic abduction, and animal cruelty—with prosecutors subsequently dropping charges entirely in some violent cases after judicial pushback.
In a rare clash from the bench, Fairfax County judges have rejected more than 24 negotiated plea agreements over the past year, citing sentences deemed too lenient and prosecutors failing to fully disclose the brutality of offenses. The scrutinized cases involve child abuse, domestic abduction, and animal cruelty—with prosecutors subsequently dropping charges entirely in some violent cases after judicial pushback.
Fairfax judges reject over 2 dozen plea deals, citing light penalties and missing facts
A FOX 5 investigation reveals Fairfax County judges have rejected more than two dozen plea agreements over the past year, prompting prosecutors to later drop charges in high-profile cases.
A FOX 5 investigation reveals Fairfax County judges have rejected more than two dozen plea agreements over the past year, prompting prosecutors to later drop charges in high-profile cases.
Trump leads Veterans Day wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery
President Donald Trump and the first lady marked Veterans Day in the nation’s capital with a ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.
President Donald Trump and the first lady marked Veterans Day in the nation’s capital with a ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.
Fairfax County considers major school start time changes: Here are the 3 options
Fairfax County Public Schools is moving closer to potentially changing daily start times in an upcoming vote that could affect tens of thousands of northern Virginia students.
Fairfax County Public Schools is moving closer to potentially changing daily start times in an upcoming vote that could affect tens of thousands of northern Virginia students.
Human remains found along Spout Run Parkway in Arlington
Human remains discovered in a wooded area along Spout Run Parkway prompted a police investigation and road closures in Arlington.
Human remains discovered in a wooded area along Spout Run Parkway prompted a police investigation and road closures in Arlington.
Alexandria proposes $117 million sports complex at Cameron Run Regional Park
The city of Alexandria is considering a proposal to transform Cameron Run Regional Park into a year-round sports and events complex, a move that would conclude nearly 50 years of park operations by NOVA Parks.
The city of Alexandria is considering a proposal to transform Cameron Run Regional Park into a year-round sports and events complex, a move that would conclude nearly 50 years of park operations by NOVA Parks.
DC weather: Mild, sunny Veterans Day Wednesday before late-week rain threat, cooldown
Mild conditions and sunny skies across the Washington, D.C. region on Veterans Day Wednesday before late-week rain chances and cooler temperatures in the 50s for the weekend.
Mild conditions and sunny skies across the Washington, D.C. region on Veterans Day Wednesday before late-week rain chances and cooler temperatures in the 50s for the weekend.
Naresh Bhatt convicted of murder in death of wife Mamta Kafle Bhatt
A jury found Naresh Bhatt guilty of first-degree murder, concealing a dead body, and defiling a dead body in the July 2024 death and disappearance of his wife, Mamta Kafle Bhatt.
A jury found Naresh Bhatt guilty of first-degree murder, concealing a dead body, and defiling a dead body in the July 2024 death and disappearance of his wife, Mamta Kafle Bhatt.
Attorney discusses pivot by defense, possible next steps after conviction in Naresh Bhatt trial
A jury deliberated for four hours before delivering a guilty verdict in the Naresh Bhatt murder trial, which centered on the disappearance of Naresh's wife, Mamta Kafle Bhatt.
A jury deliberated for four hours before delivering a guilty verdict in the Naresh Bhatt murder trial, which centered on the disappearance of Naresh's wife, Mamta Kafle Bhatt.
Kennedy family members ask judge to block Trump’s memorial arch, citing shadow over Arlington gravesites
Nine members of the Kennedy family asked a judge to block President Trump's memorial arch, saying it would overshadow their relatives' gravesites.
Nine members of the Kennedy family asked a judge to block President Trump's memorial arch, saying it would overshadow their relatives' gravesites.
License plate readers enable 5 arrests, recovery of 7 guns in Fairfax County
Fairfax County investigators said automated license plate reader (ALPR) technology aided in five arrests and the recovery of seven guns after a neighborhood shootout.
Fairfax County investigators said automated license plate reader (ALPR) technology aided in five arrests and the recovery of seven guns after a neighborhood shootout.
Fairfax County considers major changes to school start times
Fairfax County School Board members are considering major changes to school start times. The decision could impact thousands of students and their families.
Fairfax County School Board members are considering major changes to school start times. The decision could impact thousands of students and their families.
Virginia lawmakers consider changing release laws after killer flees country on pass
Virginia State Senators Dave Marsden and Scott Surovell are weighing changes to state law that currently allows the Behavioral Health Commissioner to grant unescorted community privileges to patients with violent criminal records, even over a judge's objection. The potential legislative push follows the escape of Abdulloi Toshpulodzoda, who fled the country on a weekend pass from the Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute after being committed for a 2019 fatal attack on his landlord.
Virginia State Senators Dave Marsden and Scott Surovell are weighing changes to state law that currently allows the Behavioral Health Commissioner to grant unescorted community privileges to patients with violent criminal records, even over a judge's objection. The potential legislative push follows the escape of Abdulloi Toshpulodzoda, who fled the country on a weekend pass from the Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute after being committed for a 2019 fatal attack on his landlord.
Naresh Bhatt set for March 2027 sentencing hearing
Naresh Bhatt, the man convicted of killing and defiling his wife, Mamta Kafle Bhatt, will be sentenced on March 12, 2027, court officials said.
Naresh Bhatt, the man convicted of killing and defiling his wife, Mamta Kafle Bhatt, will be sentenced on March 12, 2027, court officials said.
Virginia lawmakers consider ban on unescorted releases for some violent mental health patients
Virginia senators are considering amending a law that allows the Behavioral Health Commissioner to allow people with a violent record into the community unescorted despite a judge's order against their release.
Virginia senators are considering amending a law that allows the Behavioral Health Commissioner to allow people with a violent record into the community unescorted despite a judge's order against their release.
Middleburg driver charged with DUI manslaughter after deadly Leesburg e-bike crash
A Middleburg man faces DUI manslaughter charges after a fatal early-morning collision involving a pickup truck and an electric bicycle in Leesburg.
A Middleburg man faces DUI manslaughter charges after a fatal early-morning collision involving a pickup truck and an electric bicycle in Leesburg.
3 stabbed in Arlington; bystanders restrain suspect before arrest, police say
A 48-year-old Arlington man faces multiple charges after three people were stabbed Monday night before bystanders intervened and restrained him, authorities said.
A 48-year-old Arlington man faces multiple charges after three people were stabbed Monday night before bystanders intervened and restrained him, authorities said.
Man accused of firing shots at several Arlington locations faces bond hearing
A 39-year-old man accused of firing gunshots at multiple locations across North Arlington is scheduled to appear in court Tuesday morning for a bond hearing.
A 39-year-old man accused of firing gunshots at multiple locations across North Arlington is scheduled to appear in court Tuesday morning for a bond hearing.
DC weather: Sunny Tuesday near 70 degrees before late-week temperatures drop into the 50s
Sunny skies will bring highs near 70 degrees to the Washington, D.C. area Tuesday for a brief warm stretch before temperatures plunge into the 50s later this week.
Sunny skies will bring highs near 70 degrees to the Washington, D.C. area Tuesday for a brief warm stretch before temperatures plunge into the 50s later this week.
Family mourns mother and 3-year-old killed in Virginia I-95 DUI crash
A family is mourning after a mother and her 3-year-old daughter were both killed in a crash involving an alleged drunk driver on I-95 in Stafford.
A family is mourning after a mother and her 3-year-old daughter were both killed in a crash involving an alleged drunk driver on I-95 in Stafford.