KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The Knox County District Attorney General's office moved to dismiss an aggravated assault charge against a Knoxville man, against the wishes of his alleged victim.
Vineet Bakshi said her husband Sumeet Bakshi abused her and strangled her on Oct. 10, 2023. She called deputies. They issued a warrant for his arrest.
Vineet said the prosecution's dismissal is based on a report, paid for by the defense, from an expert who is not qualified to make the judgment he did.
A report, issued by Dr. Sidney Alexander, MD, a psychiatrist, said the bruises on her neck were inconsistent with strangulation. Alexander's report showed a picture of strangulation from the website WikiHow.
"It is further my opinion within a reasonable degree of medical certainty that the marks on her neck were self-induced or manufactured with lipstick or similar product," Alexander wrote.
Vineet sent WBIR an email from the prosecutor, Sean Roberts, to her. In it, Roberts said based on receipt of the report, he would have to dismiss the case.
"If they do have such an analysis, I don't believe I will have a choice but to dismiss," the email said.
Vineet said Dr. Alexander never spoke with her before writing the report. She said she is disappointed because she believes the report caused the state to move for dismissal.
"The state is ethically obligated to dismiss it," Roberts told Knox County Criminal Court Judge Sanchez. "It's largely based on the marks on the victim's neck are inconsistent with the type of assault that was reported, the delay in reporting, and just the inconsistencies in the statements for 911 call to what was reported to responding officers."
The case went through a preliminary hearing before Judge Andy Jackson last November. Judge Jackson determined it had enough evidence to move to a grand jury.
Similarly, the grand jury, a panel of Knox County citizens, found enough evidence to return an indictment. Those proceedings are secret and only the prosecution can present evidence.
After the indictment, Sumeet's attorney, Bob Jolley, moved for a speedy trial, a constitutional right for defendants. Judge Sanchez set the trial date for April 15.
On April 24, Assistant District Attorney General Sean Roberts told Judge Sanchez the state intended to dismiss the charges.
"I wanted to be there at the trial. And let it be a fair trial," Vineet said. "Surely, the DA would go and get his own expert report, or an independent report or something."
Judge Sanchez allowed Vineet to speak in court as prosecutors moved to dismiss the charges.
During portions of the hearing, Vineet played recordings. She said those recordings are of abuse by her husband, to which he responded, "This is a lie."
"Mr. Bakshi, if you don't want to go to jail, sir, I suggest you be quiet. Okay?" Judge Sanchez said.
Judge Sanchez told Vineet he did not intend to overrule the prosecutors.
"I think, unfortunately, your situation is one that's hard to digest, even for me just listening to your story," Sanchez said. "I do believe these things happened to you."
Though, Sanchez said, he didn't think the defense's legal maneuvering caused the dismissal.
"I think it's the state saying, 'Look, we cannot prove these elements beyond a reasonable doubt,'" Sanchez said. "I think I'm duty-bound to dismiss the matter at this time."
District Attorney General Charme Allen's office said it does not intend to bring the charges back at any point.