Domestic violence and the courts

Cases

• ▶Video · Bench Watch

  Criminal trialVerdict

  Commonwealth of Virginia v. Naresh Bhatt

  Prince William Cir. Ct. · No. Pending

  A Prince William County, Va., jury convicted Naresh Bhatt on Nov. 10, 2026, of first-degree murder in the death of his wife, Mamta Kafle Bhatt, a 28-year-old nurse and mother who disappeared in July 2024. It also convicted him of concealing and defiling her body, which has never been found. He testified she died by suicide; the jury rejected that account. Sentencing is March 12, 2027. He faces 20 years to life.

  Updated November 14, 2026 · 3 min read

• ▶Video · Bench Watch

  Criminal trialVerdict

  United States v. Matthew Farwell

  D. Mass. · No. 1:24-cr-10259-DJC

  A federal jury in Boston convicted former Stoughton, Mass., police officer Matthew Farwell on Nov. 10, 2026, of killing Sandra Birchmore, 23, and her unborn son in February 2021. Jurors found him guilty on both counts, of killing a witness and of causing the death of an unborn child. Life in prison is mandatory. Sentencing is Feb. 3, 2027.

  Updated November 14, 2026 · 4 min read

• ▶Video · LOCAL 12 (WKRC)

  Criminal trialOn appeal

  State of Ohio v. Caleb C. Flynn

  Miami Cnty. C.P. · No. 26 CR 88

  Caleb C. Flynn, 40, a former “American Idol” contestant, was sentenced Oct. 5, 2026, to life in prison without parole for the aggravated murder of his wife, Ashley Flynn, 37, in their Tipp City, Ohio, home. He must first serve 16 years of consecutive terms. A Miami County jury convicted him Sept. 29. His appeal is pending before Ohio's Second District Court of Appeals.

  Updated November 14, 2026 · 3 min read

Laws on the move

• South Carolina · BillDied

  South Carolina's “Mica's Law” on coercive control

  S. 702 (2025-2026)

  “Mica's Law,” South Carolina Senate Bill 702, would have made coercive control of a household member a crime and added stalking, harassment and coercive control to the state's definitions of abuse. It did not advance before the 2025-26 session ended and would have to start over. Its sponsor, Sen. Stephen Goldfinch, said in June 2026 that he plans to reintroduce it in January. As of Nov. 14, 2026, Bench Watch found no new bill filed.

  Status as of November 14, 2026

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