B.C. man who murdered pregnant wife loses appeal

A Surrey, B.C., man who murdered his pregnant wife and burned her body has lost an appeal of his second-degree murder conviction.

Mukhtiar Panghali's lawyer was hoping the B.C. Court of Appeal would order a new trial for the former high school teacher.

Last year, Panghali wassentenced to life in prisonwith no chance of parole for 15 years for killing Manjit Panghali.

The burned remains of the 31-year-old, who was four months pregnant, were found in October 2006 near the Delta Port south of Vancouver.

After his wife's disappearance Panghali initially attempted to convince the public he had nothing to do with his wife's disappearance.

"I need you...to please, if you know anything to get back to us," he said during a tearful press conference organized by the police in 2006.

Manjiit Panghali's bodywasfound five days later. Mukhtiar was eventually convicted and sentenced to life in prison.

On Tuesday, Manjit's sister Jasmine Bhambra said she was relieved his request for an appeal was rejected, meaning Mukhtiar will remain in prison.

"We knew that he would appeal, but you just never know, you just never know and today I'm just so happy, he's exactly where he deserves to be."

Bhambrais caring for the couple's daughter, who is now nine years old and not in contact with her father.

"She's been doing wonderfully and she's exactly where she needs to be," she told CBC News.