3 July 2009 9:06 AM, PDT | WENN | See recent WENN news »
Prosecutors are urging a Los Angeles judge to throw out convicted rapist Anand Jon Alexander's bid for a retrial, amid allegations of one juror's inappropriate behaviour during the fashion designer's 2008 trial.
Alexander, who has reportedly designed outfits for Paris Hilton and Mary J. Blige, was found guilty of 16 charges of sexually assaulting seven girls and young women.
During his two-month trial, a California court heard how the Indian-born couturier lured wannabe models as young as 14 to his apartment in Beverly Hills and abused them in a string of attacks between 2001 and 2007.
The 35 year old's attorneys claimed his accusers were attempting to ruin his career, but he was convicted of 16 of the 23 charges against him. He was acquitted of four charges and a further three resulted in a hung jury.
But Alexander is now seeking a retrial after it emerged juror Alvin Dymally had contacted the disgraced star's sister Sanjana and flirted with her. His attorney Leonard Levine claims Dymally's actions show he could not have been impartial when deliberating over the charges.
Levine says, "I think it's clear that he was in love with her. He was hardly an impartial juror."
However, prosecutors argue the juror did not discuss any details about the trial with Sanjana and only complimented her in taped phone conversations presented to the judge to support their argument.
Deputy District Attorney Frances Young says, "The tape speaks for itself. It appears to capture a conversation in which Dymally wanted to privately tell Sanjana that he thought she was 'sexy' and that he wanted to see her 'afterwards'."
A court hearing to determine whether Alexander will be granted a new trial is due to take place on Monday. »
Similar News Items
Paris Hilton- Robert Pattinson's Music, Vampire Kat Dennings And The Naked Cowboy In Today's Twitter-Wood (From MTV Movies Blog. 23 November 2009, 4:00 PM, PST)
- Hilton mother: 'Paris wanted boob job' (From digitalspy. 20 November 2009, 11:33 AM, PST)
- Hilton's Mother: 'Paris Wanted A Boob Job' (From WENN. 20 November 2009, 8:07 AM, PST)
Mary J. Blige
- Mary J Blige Delivered Strong, Vocal ‘I Am’ At 2009 American Music Awards (From OnTheFlix. 23 November 2009, 11:40 AM, PST)
- Taylor Swift, Michael Jackson Big Winners At American Music Awards (From MTV Music News. 23 November 2009, 9:31 AM, PST)
- AMAs: Now that it's over, who do you find yourself suddenly obsessed with? (From EW.com - PopWatch. 23 November 2009, 9:27 AM, PST)
Anand Jon
- Celeb siblings model for Sanjana Jon (From RealBollywood. 27 October 2009, 10:06 PM, PDT)
- Sibling Sensations for Wills (From Bollyspice. 27 October 2009, 12:51 PM, PDT)
- Inside Story: The Fashion Designer Convicted of Rape (From PEOPLE.com. 8 September 2009, 5:45 AM, PDT)
