Prosecution Nears End of Case in Naresh Bhatt Murder Trial

The prosecution’s case in Naresh Bhatt’s fifth-week murder trial neared its end on November 2, with jurors hearing testimony from forensic specialists and Mamta Kafle Bhatt’s brother. The defense is expected to start presenting its case on November 4; court will not meet on Election Day, November 3.

Forensic analyst Iris Dalley Graff testified that apparent blood patterns led toward a bathroom at the couple’s home. She said investigators found blood beneath the bathtub and inside a green reciprocating saw, and that some portions of blood evidence appeared to be missing. Prosecutors have described the saw as a possible murder weapon.

Virginia forensic analyst Susan Greenspoon testified that DNA recovered from a carpet stain could have come from the couple’s daughter and from a major DNA contributor found on Mamta’s hairbrush. Neither could be ruled out as a contributor. Under questioning by the defense, Greenspoon agreed she could not determine how the DNA reached the carpet.

Mamta’s brother, Mahesh Kafle, told jurors that she had expressed concern for her safety in a message and said she had gone two days without eating. A longtime friend of the couple testified that Bhatt had discussed divorce and sought advice about finding a lawyer before Mamta disappeared. The friend also recounted asking Bhatt where his wife was after she was reported missing; he said he did not know.

Bhatt faces charges of killing in the first degree, hiding a corpse and desecrating a corpse. He has pleaded not guilty. Mamta disappeared in July 2024, and her body has not been found. Prosecutors allege Bhatt killed her; the defense has questioned the interpretation of Nepali-language communications and the reliability of evidence, including DNA testing.