Lawyer for Naresh Bhatt, Accused of Killing Wife, Wants to Keep Case Off TV

A lawyer for Naresh Bhatt, a Viriginia man accused of killing his wife, is raising concerns about broadcasting the upcoming trial.

Bhatt, 37, was indicted on charges of murder and defiling a dead body on Monday. Two days later, Judge Kimberly Irving set his trial date for September 8 of next year.

Irving also stated that she had received a request from Court TV to broadcast the trial. Cameras are allowed in courtrooms in the state under certain conditions.

Irving said she would allow both the prosecution and defense to present arguments on the matter at a later date.

"Obviously, I have an issue with what they want," public defender Shalev Ben-Avraham said.

Mamta Kafle Bhatt, a 28-year-old nurse, went missing in July. Naresh was arrested in August on a charge of concealing a dead body.

Naresh Bhatt will stand trial for multiple charges, including murder, next year. He is accused of killing his wife, Mamta Kafle Bhatt, who went missing in July of last year. Lawyers are raising concerns about... Prince William County Adult Detention Center and Facebook

Mamta's body has not been found yet.

The prosecution and defense jointly requested that the three charges be combined for the upcoming trial. Irving granted the request after Naresh waived his right to a speedy trial through a Nepali interpreter.

Naresh was originally scheduled to go to trial on the concealing a dead body charge next week.

The trial is expected to last around four weeks and conclude around October 3. Naresh's next hearing is scheduled for March 20.

Naresh has been held without bond in the Prince William County jail since his arrest.

Mamta's employer called officials for a wellness check after she failed to show up for work on August 1. Naresh was reportedly the last person to see Mamta on July 31.

Police body camera footage showed Naresh telling officials that Mamta had left the home and was staying with a friend. Naresh also told police that he and Mamta had separated.

Naresh did not formally report Mamta missing to the police until August 5.

Prosecutors have previously alleged that there was evidence of pooled blood in the primary bedroom and blood splatter in the master bathroom of the couple's Manassas Park home. They also claimed Naresh searched Google for "How long does it take to get married when spouse dies?" and "What happens to debt when a spouse dies?"

Naresh's attorney challenged the prosecution's claims, arguing that there is no proof the blood in the home belonged to Mamta or that she had been murdered.

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