STOW, Ohio — James Rimal, the man who is accused of killing his wife, Chandra Maya Poudel-Rimel, appeared in court for the first time in the case Friday morning.
During an arraignment hearing at Stow Municipal Court, Rimal pleaded not guilty to charges of domestic violence, making false claims and abuse of corps.
Additionally, no plea was entered for the murder, strangulation and tampering with evidence charges. A bond for Rimal was set at $1 million.
The body of 33-year-old Poudel-Rimal was found Tuesday near the Summit Metro Parks Freedom Trail, six days after her husband told authorities she was not at their Cuyahoga Falls home.
After Kent police found Poudel-Rimal's body, law enforcement issued a warrant for Rimal's arrest. Rimal was hospitalized with an undisclosed ailment at the time, but 3News learned on Wednesday afternoon that he is now being held at the Summit County Jail.
Rimal is facing the following charges:
- Murder
- Strangulation
- Tampering with evidence
- Domestic violence
- Making false alarms
- Abuse of a corpse
Court documents obtained by WKYC stated Rimal allegedly "did cause death" by "strangulation after an argument at their residence." The documents also allege he "transported her body to a wooded area and left it hidden in the wooded area."
Dil Rimal, who says he is the uncle of James Rimal, told 3News on Wednesday that the news of Poudel-Rimal's death came as a shock.
"She is a beloved mom of three kids," Dil Rimal said. "She was respectful to the family members. She was smiling all the time."