Aita Gurung: Vermont man who killed wife with cleaver and severely injured mother-in-law gets 27 years

Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.

BURLINGTON, VERMONT: Aita Gurung was found guilty of murdering his wife and assaulting his mother-in-law with a meat cleaver and has received a 27-year prison sentence, with the remainder of his 35-to-life term being suspended in favor of probation. 

Following the murder, at least nine jurors have acknowledged that Gurung, 40, experienced significant mental health problems when he killed his wife, Yogeswari Khadka.

What did Aita Gurung do?

According to Law&Crime, Gurung murdered Khadka at their residence in Burlington, Vermont, on October 12, 2017, while Tulasa Rimal, his mother-in-law, attempted to save her.

Now disabled, Rimal reportedly expressed through a translator, "No matter what, he should get the harshest punishment."

Both prosecutors and the judge spoke highly of Khadka. Vermont Attorney General Charity Clark stated in a release, "Yogeswari was a brave, hardworking mother who immigrated to the United States in hopes of building a brighter future for her family.”

Reflecting on a photograph of Khadka,32, Judge John Pacht commented, “When looking at this picture, I see this magnificent young woman, strong, focused, serene, dedicated."

The prosecutor added, “Her voice and the voice of her mother, Tulasa, who tried to save her, deserved to be heard. We are grateful that Tulasa and members of her family were able to share with the Court the impact that these tragic acts of domestic violence had and continue to have on their lives."

He thanked the Police Department, "We also want to thank the Burlington Police Department for their assistance to the Attorney General’s Office and the jury for their thoughtfulness through a long and difficult trial.”

Aita Gurung acknowledged that his wife did not deserve to die

On Wednesday, Gurung expressed remorse in a personal statement and a letter conveyed by an attorney, acknowledging that Khadka did not deserve to lose her life, and Rimal did not deserve to be assaulted.

According to reports, he informed the court that he was not in his right mind and was hearing voices during the occurrence he referred to as an accident.

'I want all victims of domestic violence to know you are not alone'

Further following the violence that happened to the family, Attorney General Clark shared a clear statement involving the victims of domestic violence saying, “I want all victims of domestic violence to know you are not alone.” 

He added, “I especially hope that this message reaches members of our community for whom English is not their first language."

He concluded, "I want you to know that every member of our community deserves to feel safe, be heard, and know their rights and what resources are available to them. Service organizations and law enforcement agencies have interpreter services.”