Voices in the Dark // 167

 

This episode is available early and ad-free on Apple Podcasts and Patreon, and is scheduled for free/regular release on March 29th, 2026.


It all started with a blood curdling scream.  When neighbors peered outside their homes, they saw a bloody male holding a cleaver over the body of a woman.  This attack was not only horrific, but it marked the start of one of the most complicated legal cases that Burlington, VT would face to date…

Written by Trevor Pason, Edited and Engineered by Scott Ecklein, and Executive Produced by Michael Ojibway.   

Written/Sources: 

  1. Judge backs doctor's ruling that Gurung incompetent to stand trial

  2. Bystander effect - Wikipedia

  3. Murder of Kitty Genovese - Wikipedia

  4. 'The Witness' Looks Back At Those Accused Of Ignoring Kitty Genovese's Murder : NPR 

  5. 2 women injured in cleaver attack in Burlington

  6. How the Gun Ownership Rate in Vermont Compares to Other States

  7. Burlington Cops: Man Armed With Meat Cleaver Kills Wife | Seven Days 

  8. Burlington man arraigned in fatal cleaver attack - VTDigger 

  9. Neighbors describe deadly cleaver attack

  10. Did An Armed Bystander Stop The Burlington Cleaver Attack? | Vermont Public  

  11. Burlington man pleads not guilty in deadly cleaver attack

  12. Days Before 'Heartbreaking' Burlington Killing, Suspect Self-Reported Domestic Violence | Vermont Public

  13. Man to Undergo Psych Screenings After Allegedly Hacking Wife to Death – NBC Boston

  14. Watch: Police give update on fatal Burlington cleaver attack

  15. Burlington cleaver attack survivor's condition improves

  16. Officers testify in Aita Gurung trial 

  17. Burlington police testify during Aita Gurung trial as defense tries to prove insanity plea 

  18. Suspect in fatal Burlington cleaver attack set to be arraigned

  19. Lhotshampas in Bhutan - Minority Rights Group

  20. Lhotshampa - Wikipedia

  21. Ethnic cleansing of Lhotshampa in Bhutan - Wikipedia

  22. OPENING STATEMENTS: Aita Gurung murder trial 

  23. Aita Gurung's doctors testify as defense begins to call witnesses in trial

  24. In high-profile & politicized murder case in Burlington, the alleged killer’s mental state is on trial | Vermont Public

  25. Police: man attacks wife, mother-in-law with meat cleaver

  26. Family of women in cleaver attack speak out

  27. Cleaver Attack Stuns Vermont's Bhutanese Community | Seven Days

  28. Resettled Bhutanese in US kills wife | Bhutan News Network 

  29. Backstory: Toughest Reporting Moment | Seven Days

  30. Suicide and Suicidal Ideation Among Bhutanese Refugees — United States, 2009–2012

  31. Neighbors remember cleaver attack victim

  32. Memorial for Yogeswari

  33. Green Mountain Bhutanese Organization, Inc.

  34. Vermont Hindu Temple | Burlington VT

  35. Defense plans to raise sanity issue in cleaver attack case

  36. Doctor: Man charged with killing wife with cleaver competent for trial

  37. Burlington cleaver attack: Suspect says he heard voices

  38. Man accused of killing wife with meat cleaver competent to stand trial

  39. Chittenden state's attorney drops three major cases due to insanity defense - VTDigger

  40. Doctor: Cleaver attack murder suspect fit to stand trial - VTDigger

  41. How Should Vermont Handle Insanity Cases? Debate Grows After Charges Refiled In Burlington Killing

  42. Weight of evidence hearing begins for man accused of killing wife with meat cleaver

  43. Press Release Regarding Three Major Crimes 

  44. Vermont Attorney General Refiles Dismissed Murder Charge After Request From Governor

  45. Weight of evidence hearing for Aita Gurung 

  46. Prosecutors push for trial against accused meat cleaver murderer

  47. Lawyers argue over competence of cleaver attack murder suspect - VTDigger

  48. Psychiatric experts testify on competency of alleged cleaver killer

  49. Decision about Aita's Competence to Stand Trial

  50. Jury draw begins for trial of Aita Gurung, man accused of killing his wife with a meat cleaver

  51. Forensic psychiatrist says Aita Gurung was "grossly and floridly psychotic" in 2017 

  52. The case for insanity: Expert analysis of meat cleaver murder trial

  53. Aita Gurung trial continues with testimonies on Day 2

  54. Expert: Aita Gurung ‘was controlled by voices’ when he killed wife

  55. Burlington man found guilty in meat cleaver attack that killed his wife, seriously injured her mother - VTDigger

  56. Victim’s parents testify on day three of Aita Gurung’s trial

  57. Gurung's daughter and responding officers give testimony during the second day of trial

  58. Prosecution and defense make their final pleas to the jury in the Aita Gurung trial

  59. Gurung Found Guilty of First-Degree Murder in 2017 Cleaver Attack | Seven Days

  60. Victim's parents testify in third day of Gurung's trial

  61. Gurung moved from mental health facility to prison as he awaits sentencing in meat cleaver murder - VTDigger

  62. Aita Gurung Inmate Search

  63. Victim impact statements heard in Aita Gurung case, sentencing expected tomorrow

  64. Man with mental health history sentenced to more than 2 decades in wife's slaying with meat cleaver | AP News

  65. Gurung sentencing delayed as lawyer seeks new competency exam

  66. Meat cleaver killer will serve 27 years in prison for murdering 'magnificent' wife, attacking mother-in-law

  67. Aita Gurung sentenced for murdering wife with meat cleaver

  68. Burlington man convicted in 2017 meat cleaver killing sentenced to more than 20 years in prison | Vermont Public

  69. Cleaver attack was 2nd in same Burlington house

  70. State’s highest court affirms convictions for Burlington man in deadly meat cleaver attack - VTDigger

  71. Vt. Supreme Court upholds Burlington man’s murder conviction

  72. Burlington man found guilty of killing wife with meat cleaver appeals his convictions to Vermont Supreme Court - Valley News

  73. Lawyers seek to overturn Burlington man’s murder conviction

Music & Sound Effect Sources

  • Opening Track: “Whispers of the Banyan” by Aks & Lakshmi 

  • Closing Track: “Unsolved Issues” by Magnus Ludvigsso ; “Death Whistle OUTRO” by Michael Ojibway

Music & Sound Effect Sources

All music and sound effects used with express permission under unlimited blanket license authority from Epidemic Sound ® and SoundStripe ®.  Individual sources are available via request at info@invisiblechoir.com