A Beverly Hills fashion designer has just been found guilty of multiple counts of sexual assault that could result in him receiving a lifetime prison sentence. Anand Jon Alexander, 34, has been convicted of raping seven females, ranging in age from 14 to 21 years old. These sexual crimes occurred over a six-year span from 2002 to 2007.
While Alexander originally faced 23 felony charges, he was ultimately convicted of 16 counts, including:
- Forcible rape
- Sexual assault
- Battery
In addition to being known for his role on “America’s Next Top Model,” Alexander is also credited with designing for many popular celebrities, including Paris Hilton and Norah Jones.
The Trial and Evidence
Over two months of trial, prosecutors presented evidence of Alexander’s criminal activities, which included:
- Beating and, in some cases, drugging women before he raped them.
- Tricking females into coming back to his apartment by claiming that he wanted them to model for his clothing line.
As evidence, prosecutors (led by District Attorney Frances Young) called on nine of the female victims to testify.
While Alexander’s high-priced criminal defense attorneys tried to discredit the victims’ testimonies by claiming that they were lying to defame the defendant, the consistencies of the victims’ statements were enough to sway the jury and result in multiple convictions.
Sentencing and Further Trials
The sentencing phase of Alexander’s trial is scheduled to occur Jan. 13, 2009 at the Los Angeles Superior Courthouse.
However, Alexander’s recent convictions and pending sentencing in California are only the start of a series of trials this convict will face, as he has also been indicted in New York on nine other rape and sexual assault charges.
Similarly, Texas authorities in the Dallas area are still investigating allegations against Alexander. This investigation is also likely to result in another trial for Alexander.
(Source: Los Angeles Times, The Herald Sun)
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