May 19, 2013
FLORENCE, S.C. (AP) -- A $200,000 bond has been set for a Florence man accused of stabbing his wife and her mother to death at their home last summer.
Circuit Judge Michael Nettles on Thursday set bond for 34-year-old Hiralkumar Gopaldas on two counts of murder.
Authorities arrested Gopaldas three days after finding the bodies of his wife, 31-year-old Punam Gopaldas, and her 56-year-old mother, Vinaben Patel. The women had been stabbed to death in the family's home, and the couple's 2-year-old son was found lying next to his dead mother.
Prosecutors say Gopaldas and his wife were going through a divorce.
His attorney says Gopaldas was working at a hotel when the women died, and trial is set to begin June 11. Gopaldas' father has also been charged in the case.
(Copyright 2012, Associated Press)
