HOUSTON – Emotions were high as Muna Pandey’s accused killer made his first court appearance Tuesday.
BACKGROUND: Student from Nepal found shot to death in SW Houston apartment, suspect now in custody
Bobby Shah, 51, stood before a judge in his orange jail jumpsuit for his probable cause hearing. He’s accused of killing 21-year-old Pandey in her apartment on W Airport Blvd.
Pandey’s family members and friends in the courtroom could be heard crying as they listened to what happened to the college student from Nepal.
Several members from the Nepalese Association of Houston were also in the courtroom. Vice President Drona Gautam is praying for justice.
“He’s still not sad and I don’t know why,” Gautam said of Shah. “This is definitely a sad part for the family.”
“And I really appreciate everyone who is helping towards this case and supporting us and Muna’s mom.”
Gautam said the visa for Muna’s mother to travel from Nepal was just approved today and funeral plans will be finalized once she arrives in Houston later this week.
The prosecutor and defense attorneys also spoke about Tuesday’s case.
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“I felt it was incumbent upon us to definitely ask for no bail in this case,” Chief Prosecutor Rebecca Marshall said. “I believe he poses a grave risk of danger to our community.”
Shah’s attorney said his client is 100 percent innocent and excited to prove his innocence. “I can tell you Mr. Shah is in great spirits as it stands today.”
“I mean, we’re looking forward to proving his innocence in the court of law,” Defense Attorney Wilvin J. Carter said.
“What I learned today is that he’s a native of India. He moved here at some point during his childhood. He was a V.P. at a company, and I’m not at liberty to give that name, but he’s a pretty smart guy, well-educated, very articulate.”
Surveillance video showed a man prosecutors say is Shah holding Pandey at gunpoint, as she held a shoe box, a shopping bag, and a black jacket and purse. He was heard repeatedly ordering her to open the door, court documents state Pandey could then be heard asking, “What are you going to do?”
Friends described Pandey as “loving,” and “confident” to KPRC 2 Reporter Corley Peel. However, they did not ever hear anything from Pandey about Shah.
Shah was a frequent customer at a restaurant Pandey worked at a year ago, according to court records.
Prosecutors requested Shah’s bail be denied until the next hearing in December. Under his bond conditions, the 51-year-old must surrender any passports and is prohibited from contacting Pandey’s family.