Burlington Man Pleads Not Guilty to Wife’s Murder

Bal Khadka, 44, pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder and three counts of cruelty to a child in the death of his wife, Lila Darjee Khadka, and was ordered held without bail. Prosecutors allege he repeatedly struck her with a flashlight at their Burlington apartment early Saturday while his two young daughters and one daughter’s 10-year-old friend were present; she died in hospital Sunday night. The girls reportedly escaped through a window and called 911, while the friend recorded part of the attack on her phone. Court documents describe the children’s accounts of prior violence, including allegations that Khadka had accused Lila of infidelity and previously tried to kill her, and allege he was using drugs before the assault.