BackAnand Jon Alexander gets 59 years’ sentence
Anand Jon Alexander gets 59 years’ sentence
PremiumFall from grace: Anand Jon Alexander. The judge said the fashion designer should be incarcerated as long as possible for preying upon young girls and women. Reuters
Los Angeles: Indian-born fashion designer Anand Jon Alexander was sentenced on Monday to 59 years to life in prison for sexually assaulting aspiring models he lured to Los Angeles.
Alexander, 35, showed no reaction as superior court judge David Wesley said he should be incarcerated as long as possible for preying upon young girls and women. Alexander was convicted in November of 14 counts including forcible rape. He was found not guilty of four felonies, and jurors could not reach a verdict on three counts.
“Mr Alexander has showed no remorse for his actions," the judge said.
The sentencing capped a tumultuous, exhausting post-verdict saga that included allegations of juror tampering by his sister, Sanjana, juror misconduct and Alexander’s decision to represent himself. Alexander also lost a bid for a new trial earlier on Monday, claiming there was a conspiracy among law enforcement to convict him.
The most striking image came as a bevy of beautiful women who said Alexander sexually assaulted them filled a jury box. The 13 women cried as Wesley recounted some of the crimes and they held hands as the sentence was read.
Wesley has already turned down a previous motion for a new trial after it was discovered that juror Alvin Dymally had contacted Alexander’s sister Sanjana. The judge held her in contempt for contacting the juror and failing to report the misconduct. A hearing will be held in September.
The designer has been featured on the television show ‘America’s Next Top Model’ and worked with celebrities such as Paris Hilton and Mary J. Blige.
Alexander graduated from the Parsons School of Design in New York and launched a fashion line in 1999.
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