ID :
30283
Fri, 11/14/2008 - 18:32
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Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/30283
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Fashion designer Anand Jon convicted of sexual assault
Los Angeles, Nov 14 (PTI) India-born fashion designer Anand Jon Alexander was convicted of sexually assaulting girls and women by a Los Angeles court and now faces life in prison.
Capping a two-month trial that offered a sordid portrait of the fashion world, the Los Angeles court convicted the designer Thursday of sexually assaulting seven girls and young women. Prosecutors said Jon faces a sentence of life in prison and will become eligible for parole after serving 67 years.
After nearly two weeks of deliberation, the Los Angeles jury of six men and six women deliberated for seven days before finding Jon guilty of one count of rape and 15 counts of sexual assault and other charges, the Los Angeles Times newspaper said Friday. Authorities say Alexander's seven victims ranged in age from 14 to 21.
In addition to the guilty verdicts, the jury acquitted Jon of four counts and deadlocked on three others. Superior Court Judge David S. Wesley is scheduled to sentence Jon on January 13.
Jon plans to planned to appeal and would seek a new trial. "He's disappointed, obviously, but he hasn't given up hope," defense attorney Leonard B. Levine said. "We're not through by a long shot," he stressed.
The 34-year-old designer was accompanied by his sister, friends and relatives as the the court announced the jury's verdicts to a crowded downtown Los Angeles courtroom Thursday.
Prosecutors described Jon as a "pedophile masquerading as a fashion designer." "This jury today has sent a message that our communities will not tolerate serial rapists and child molesters like Anand Jon," Deputy District Attorney Frances Young was quoted as saying by the US daily.
Once touted as a future star of the catwalks, Jon trained at the prestigious Parsons School for Design in New York. He starred as a guest designer on the reality television show "America's Next Top Model." In December 2006, Newsweek magazine included him in a list of people to watch in 2007. He has is designed dresses for celebrities like Paris Hilton and Janet Jackson.
In March 2007, Beverly Hills police arrested Jon after a woman accused him of rape. A grand jury later indicted him on 59 counts, but prosecutors eventually dropped more than half of them before trial.
Jon's lawyers maintained their client was innocent and
told jurors that the women were liars, with some of them angry
at the way the top designer had treated them and others hoping
to profit financially. Jon's supporters said the accusers'
testimony did not seem credible.
"I can't believe that I was in the same courtroom" as
the jury, said Richard Bernard, Jon's brother-in-law. PTI
Capping a two-month trial that offered a sordid portrait of the fashion world, the Los Angeles court convicted the designer Thursday of sexually assaulting seven girls and young women. Prosecutors said Jon faces a sentence of life in prison and will become eligible for parole after serving 67 years.
After nearly two weeks of deliberation, the Los Angeles jury of six men and six women deliberated for seven days before finding Jon guilty of one count of rape and 15 counts of sexual assault and other charges, the Los Angeles Times newspaper said Friday. Authorities say Alexander's seven victims ranged in age from 14 to 21.
In addition to the guilty verdicts, the jury acquitted Jon of four counts and deadlocked on three others. Superior Court Judge David S. Wesley is scheduled to sentence Jon on January 13.
Jon plans to planned to appeal and would seek a new trial. "He's disappointed, obviously, but he hasn't given up hope," defense attorney Leonard B. Levine said. "We're not through by a long shot," he stressed.
The 34-year-old designer was accompanied by his sister, friends and relatives as the the court announced the jury's verdicts to a crowded downtown Los Angeles courtroom Thursday.
Prosecutors described Jon as a "pedophile masquerading as a fashion designer." "This jury today has sent a message that our communities will not tolerate serial rapists and child molesters like Anand Jon," Deputy District Attorney Frances Young was quoted as saying by the US daily.
Once touted as a future star of the catwalks, Jon trained at the prestigious Parsons School for Design in New York. He starred as a guest designer on the reality television show "America's Next Top Model." In December 2006, Newsweek magazine included him in a list of people to watch in 2007. He has is designed dresses for celebrities like Paris Hilton and Janet Jackson.
In March 2007, Beverly Hills police arrested Jon after a woman accused him of rape. A grand jury later indicted him on 59 counts, but prosecutors eventually dropped more than half of them before trial.
Jon's lawyers maintained their client was innocent and
told jurors that the women were liars, with some of them angry
at the way the top designer had treated them and others hoping
to profit financially. Jon's supporters said the accusers'
testimony did not seem credible.
"I can't believe that I was in the same courtroom" as
the jury, said Richard Bernard, Jon's brother-in-law. PTI
