The fate of a Muttontown couple accused of enslavement now lies in the hands of a jury.
After almost three days of closing arguments and instructions by a judge, a jury is deliberating the fate of Mahender and Varsha Sabhnani. The couple is accused of abusing and enslaving their two Indonesian maids.
While the jury began deliberations, defense attorneys asked the judge to reopen the case based on a claim they?ve received new evidence. Defense attorneys say they obtained an e-mail from a key prosecution witness. They claim the e-mail shows the witness was bias when she testified during the trial.
The jury, which will decide if the couple did in fact abuse the women or if the story was fabricated, does not know defense attorneys asked to reopen the case. The judge is currently researching the situation and is expected to decide Thursday on the defense?s request.
Related Information:Closingarguments heard in enslavement trialWitness:Nothing was wrong with Muttontown maidsAllegedvictim describes her enslavement to jury