10/05/2026
California criminal defense attorney Joseph Tully joined Fox 5 DC Marina Marraco to discuss the trial of Naresh Bhatt, who is accused of murdering his wife, Mamta Kafle Bhatt, in Prince William County, Virginia.
With 150 potential jurors beginning the jury-selection process, the judge has taken extraordinary precautions, instructing prospective jurors to delete news apps and turn off their phones to limit outside information about the highly publicized case.
Tully explained why protecting the jury from outside media coverage is critical in an era of constant social media and digital news—and how inadvertent exposure could potentially jeopardize a trial.
Tully also discussed the challenges prosecutors face because Mamta Kafle Bhatt’s remains have never been recovered, while examining the circumstantial evidence prosecutors are expected to present, including alleged inconsistencies in Bhatt’s account, surveillance footage, blood and DNA evidence, and questions surrounding unusually high water usage at the couple’s home.
He also explained how allegations of prior domestic abuse could potentially be introduced for purposes such as establishing motive, state of mind, or the nature of the relationship, depending on the court’s evidentiary rulings.
Watch California criminal defense attorney Joseph Tully break down the case and the legal issues surrounding this closely watched trial.
