Court MinutesInvestigator testified she believed stains inside a saw were blood; a witness read work-account searches about marrying after a spouse dies
9 min read
Video: Court TV · Published 7:01 PM ET
Today in five bullets · Commonwealth v. Bhatt · Day 11 · Oct 26
- Cordner testified that he applied BlueStar to the garage trash bin and observed reactions on its inside and outside, which glowed blue. 0:10:13
- Ms. Feldman testified that she believed the reddish-brown staining she pointed out on side B of the saw to be blood. 0:05:20
- The investigator testified the June 2, 2024 receipt listed a Diablo saw blade, a Ryobi starter kit with two batteries and a Ryobi reciprocating saw. 0:10:02
- The water department witness answered no when asked whether 111 gallons in an hour or about 160 in two hours was consistent with personal use. 0:04:44
- The witness read search lines 410 and 411 from Bhatt's work account, dated April 12, 2024, asking how long it takes to get married after a spouse dies. 0:08:52
The Case
Charged: First-degree murder; concealing a dead body; defiling a dead body.
What happened: Mamta Kafle Bhatt has been missing, and her body has never been found. Her husband, Naresh Bhatt, is charged in her death. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The state says: Bhatt killed his wife, dismembered her body and threw the remains away in trash bins in Manassas Park and Fairfax, and his Google searches beforehand show premeditation.
The defense says: there is a "black hole" in the evidence the prosecution cannot fill, and most of the forensic work speaks to hiding a body, not to a premeditated killing.
Where it stands: prosecution's case · scheduled through Nov 19.
Judge Kimberly A. Irving · Defense: Tracey Lenox
Updated Day 10
What's next
Court resumes Tuesday, Oct. 27, as the Commonwealth continues presenting its case.
Crime scene investigator: BlueStar on a garage trash bin
Alexander Cordner, a Prince William County police crime scene investigator, testified that he has been with the department almost 13 years. 0:00:05 He testified that he applied BlueStar to a trash bin in the garage and saw reactions on its inside and outside that glowed blue. 0:10:13
On cross, Cordner agreed he was told not to prioritize the basement and did not process it that day. 0:14:42 After viewing a picture, he agreed that some Manassas Park officers in the bedroom were not wearing gloves and were touching furniture. 0:17:37 He agreed BlueStar is a presumptive test and that he cannot say something is blood from a reaction alone. 0:19:25 He agreed he did no BlueStar testing in the kitchen, living room or stairs. 0:20:13
On redirect, Cordner said that to his knowledge no one without gloves collected evidence, and agreed he took swabs for lab confirmation. 0:21:50
Ms. Feldman: inside the saw
Ms. Feldman pointed out suspected hairs in photographs of the saw and said there was hair in other parts of it as well. 0:03:16 She testified that she believed reddish-brown staining she pointed out on side B to be blood. 0:05:20 She testified that she collected the hairs and swabbed the staining, logging the side A swabs as item 317 and side B as item 318. 0:08:38
She testified that she did not recover any Lidl-branded heavy-duty trash bags from the residence. 0:18:10 She opened the packaging in court and identified the two parts of the saw, and the judge received it as Exhibit 410. 0:23:05
Home Depot receipt and the home's water use
A Home Depot investigator testified that a June 2, 2024 receipt listed a Diablo saw blade, a Ryobi starter kit with two batteries and a Ryobi reciprocating saw. 0:10:02 He explained that a minus $79 line reflected a buy-one-get-one-free sale, not the purchase of two saws. 0:10:55 He said the person in store video appeared to carry those items, and that he did not know who the person was. 0:16:16 0:18:16
A water department witness testified that the home's log showed 111.34 gallons used in the hour starting at noon on July 31, 2024. 0:01:49 The witness agreed the two hours together came to approximately 160 gallons, 0:02:21 described that as substantial, 0:02:54 and said no leak was suspected because usage then dropped to 2.86 gallons. 0:03:28 Asked whether that use was consistent with personal use, the witness answered no. 0:04:44
A friend, work-account searches and a Facebook acquaintance
A friend of Bhatt's testified that Bhatt made a Facebook post in 2024 thanking Mamta for spoiling his life, which was later deleted, 0:00:14 and said it read as more of a sarcastic post. 0:01:36 He testified that at a Starbucks meeting Bhatt said the couple were arguing at home and that he had not raised a hand to her. 0:04:23 He testified that his calls to Bhatt on the night of Aug. 4, 2024, did not go through. 0:07:21
A witness who reviewed Bhatt's work-account search records read entries dated April 12, 2024, asking how long it takes to get married after a spouse dies. 0:08:52 0:11:10 On cross, he testified he could not see who was at the keyboard, 0:13:40 agreed someone else could use a logged-in computer, 0:14:23 and said he could not know the motive behind a search. 0:21:58 On redirect, he called the marriage query very telling. 0:22:57
A man who knew Bhatt through Facebook testified that Bhatt said he worked for the federal government, 0:00:46 described a July 29, 2024 FaceTime call, 0:03:17 and testified that on earlier calls Bhatt said he thought he should get a divorce. 0:05:44 He identified the defendant in court. 0:06:48 The judge told him to remain available and not to use social media until the trial ends or he is released. 0:08:20
All 39 Moments
| Position in the clip | Moment |
|---|---|
| 0:00:05 | Cordner testified that he is a Prince William County crime scene investigator with almost 13 years at the department and about 1,600 scenes in his career. Direct (state) 0:00:05 into Court TV · Day 11 · police officer's BlueStar testimony on a trash can (edited clip) |
| 0:10:13 | Cordner testified that he applied BlueStar to the garage trash bin and observed reactions on its inside and outside, which glowed blue. Direct (state) 0:10:13 into Court TV · Day 11 · police officer's BlueStar testimony on a trash can (edited clip) |
| 0:14:42 | Cordner agreed on cross that he was told not to prioritize the basement and did not process it that day. Cross (defense) 0:14:42 into Court TV · Day 11 · police officer's BlueStar testimony on a trash can (edited clip) |
| 0:17:37 | Cordner agreed on cross, after viewing a picture, that some Manassas Park officers in the bedroom were not wearing gloves and were touching furniture. Cross (defense) 0:17:37 into Court TV · Day 11 · police officer's BlueStar testimony on a trash can (edited clip) |
| 0:19:25 | Cordner agreed that BlueStar is a presumptive test and that he cannot say something is blood based on a BlueStar reaction. Cross (defense) 0:19:25 into Court TV · Day 11 · police officer's BlueStar testimony on a trash can (edited clip) |
| 0:20:13 | Cordner agreed he did no BlueStar testing in the kitchen, living room or stairs and could not tell how much substance was on the can or when it was deposited. Cross (defense) 0:20:13 into Court TV · Day 11 · police officer's BlueStar testimony on a trash can (edited clip) |
| 0:21:50 | Cordner testified on redirect that he knew of no evidence collected by anyone not wearing gloves and agreed he swabbed for lab confirmation. Redirect (state) 0:21:50 into Court TV · Day 11 · police officer's BlueStar testimony on a trash can (edited clip) |
| 0:03:16 | Ms. Feldman identified suspected hairs on the front of side A of the saw and said there was hair in other portions of the saw as well. Direct (state) 0:03:16 into Court TV · Day 11 · lead crime-scene investigator on the saw (edited clip) |
| 0:05:20 | Ms. Feldman testified that she believed the reddish-brown staining she pointed out on side B of the saw to be blood. Direct (state) 0:05:20 into Court TV · Day 11 · lead crime-scene investigator on the saw (edited clip) |
| 0:08:38 | Ms. Feldman testified that she collected the hairs and swabbed the staining, with swabs from side A as item 317 and from side B as item 318. Direct (state) 0:08:38 into Court TV · Day 11 · lead crime-scene investigator on the saw (edited clip) |
| 0:18:10 | Ms. Feldman testified that she did not recover any Lidl-branded heavy-duty trash bags from the residence. Direct (state) 0:18:10 into Court TV · Day 11 · lead crime-scene investigator on the saw (edited clip) |
| 0:23:05 | Ms. Feldman opened the packaging and identified items A and B of the saw as in substantially similar condition, and the judge received it as Exhibit 410. Direct (state) 0:23:05 into Court TV · Day 11 · lead crime-scene investigator on the saw (edited clip) |
| 0:28:21 | Ms. Feldman testified she sent only swabs, not the saw itself, to the Department of Forensic Science, calling it a tactical decision to get results back sooner. Other 0:28:21 into Court TV · Day 11 · lead crime-scene investigator on the saw (edited clip) |
| 0:28:35 | Ms. Feldman agreed she had already removed the hair-like fibers she observed on the saw, and that the saw had been sitting for over two years. Other 0:28:35 into Court TV · Day 11 · lead crime-scene investigator on the saw (edited clip) |
| 0:10:02 | The investigator testified the June 2, 2024 receipt listed a Diablo saw blade, a Ryobi starter kit with two batteries and a Ryobi reciprocating saw. Direct (state) 0:10:02 into Court TV · Day 11 · Home Depot investigator on the saw purchase (edited clip) |
| 0:10:55 | The investigator testified the negative $79 on the receipt reflected a Ryobi buy-one-get-one-free sale, so two items were bought, not two saws. Direct (state) 0:10:55 into Court TV · Day 11 · Home Depot investigator on the saw purchase (edited clip) |
| 0:16:16 | The investigator said the person in the first video appeared to carry a Ryobi saw, a box with two batteries and a saw blade, and did not know who it was. Direct (state) 0:16:16 into Court TV · Day 11 · Home Depot investigator on the saw purchase (edited clip) |
| 0:18:16 | The investigator described a customer at a self-checkout handing over three items and said the customer bought the saw, batteries and blade. Direct (state) 0:18:16 into Court TV · Day 11 · Home Depot investigator on the saw purchase (edited clip) |
| 0:01:49 | The water department witness testified that the log showed 111.34 gallons used in the hour starting at noon on July 31, 2024. Direct (state) 0:01:49 into WUSA9 · Day 11 · public-works employee on the home's water use (edited clip) |
| 0:02:21 | The water department witness testified that the hour before recorded 48.43 gallons and agreed the two hours totaled approximately 160 gallons. Direct (state) 0:02:21 into WUSA9 · Day 11 · public-works employee on the home's water use (edited clip) |
| 0:02:54 | The water department witness described the two-hour consumption as substantial, equivalent to a faucet open all the way or a severe plumbing issue. Direct (state) 0:02:54 into WUSA9 · Day 11 · public-works employee on the home's water use (edited clip) |
| 0:03:28 | The water department witness testified that no plumbing issue was suspected because usage fell to 2.86 gallons after the 111-gallon hour. Direct (state) 0:03:28 into WUSA9 · Day 11 · public-works employee on the home's water use (edited clip) |
| 0:04:44 | The water department witness answered no when asked whether 111 gallons in an hour or about 160 in two hours was consistent with personal use. Direct (state) 0:04:44 into WUSA9 · Day 11 · public-works employee on the home's water use (edited clip) |
| 0:00:14 | A friend of Bhatt's testified that Bhatt made a 2024 Facebook post thanking Mamta for spoiling his life, or something like that, and that it was later deleted. Direct (state) 0:00:14 into Court TV · Day 11 · friend's testimony about a Facebook post (edited clip) |
| 0:01:36 | The friend said the post was not a normal thank-you and described it as more of a sarcastic post. Direct (state) 0:01:36 into Court TV · Day 11 · friend's testimony about a Facebook post (edited clip) |
| 0:04:23 | The friend testified that at a Starbucks meeting, Bhatt said he and Mamta were having arguments at home and that he had not raised a hand to her. Direct (state) 0:04:23 into Court TV · Day 11 · friend's testimony about a Facebook post (edited clip) |
| 0:05:04 | The friend testified Bhatt said he never raised a hand to Mamta, but described a time she tried to pull his blanket, he gestured and she fell on a bed corner. Direct (state) 0:05:04 into Court TV · Day 11 · friend's testimony about a Facebook post (edited clip) |
| 0:07:21 | The friend testified that he called Bhatt several times on the night of Aug. 4, 2024, and that Bhatt did not pick up and the calls did not ring. Direct (state) 0:07:21 into Court TV · Day 11 · friend's testimony about a Facebook post (edited clip) |
| 0:08:52 | The witness read search lines 410 and 411 from Bhatt's work account, dated April 12, 2024, asking how long it takes to get married after a spouse dies. Direct (state) 0:08:52 into Court TV · Day 11 · insider-threat analyst on work-account searches (edited clip) |
| 0:11:10 | The witness testified that the account also searched for Bhatt's own name, his name with his wife's, and distances between locations. Direct (state) 0:11:10 into Court TV · Day 11 · insider-threat analyst on work-account searches (edited clip) |
| 0:13:40 | On cross, the witness agreed he was not standing over Bhatt's shoulder and testified he could not see who was at the keyboard. Cross (defense) 0:13:40 into Court TV · Day 11 · insider-threat analyst on work-account searches (edited clip) |
| 0:14:23 | The witness agreed on cross that someone else could use a computer left logged in with a card and PIN, and it would still show the logged-in user. Cross (defense) 0:14:23 into Court TV · Day 11 · insider-threat analyst on work-account searches (edited clip) |
| 0:21:58 | The witness testified on cross that he knew only what was searched, not why, saying, "The motive, I would not know." Cross (defense) 0:21:58 into Court TV · Day 11 · insider-threat analyst on work-account searches (edited clip) |
| 0:22:57 | Asked on redirect about the marriage search, the witness said the query was very telling and that people normally type their inclinations into search engines. Redirect (state) 0:22:57 into Court TV · Day 11 · insider-threat analyst on work-account searches (edited clip) |
| 0:00:46 | A man who knew Bhatt through Facebook testified that Bhatt said he worked for the federal government and would help him with a job once he became a citizen. Direct (state) 0:00:46 into Court TV · Day 11 · witness testimony and the judge's social-media admonition (edited clip) |
| 0:03:17 | The witness testified that on a July 29, 2024 FaceTime call he saw only a face he believed was Bhatt's, and that Bhatt said he was walking near a park. Direct (state) 0:03:17 into Court TV · Day 11 · witness testimony and the judge's social-media admonition (edited clip) |
| 0:05:44 | The witness testified that on earlier calls Bhatt said he thought he should get a divorce and had a place in Fairfax or Falls Church. Direct (state) 0:05:44 into Court TV · Day 11 · witness testimony and the judge's social-media admonition (edited clip) |
| 0:06:48 | The witness identified the defendant in court as the man from the calls, saying he had never met him in person, and the judge noted the identification. Direct (state) 0:06:48 into Court TV · Day 11 · witness testimony and the judge's social-media admonition (edited clip) |
| 0:08:20 | The judge told the witness he was free to go for the day but must remain available and could not use social media until the trial ended or he was released. Other 0:08:20 into Court TV · Day 11 · witness testimony and the judge's social-media admonition (edited clip) |
Times are positions in the Court TV clip; no time in court was published. Each opens the clip at that moment.
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