Indian-American Designer Jon Awarded 59-year Jail Term for Sex Crime
A Los Angles court has awarded a 59-year term to celebrated Indian-American fashion designer Anand Jon for sexually assaulting aspiring models.
In the wake of a day-long passionate argument, delivered by 35-year-old Jon himself for seeking a fresh trial, Court Judge Wesley announced the judgment.
Wesley, in his decision, announced that there was no new ground for granting such a motion.
When Wesley said that Jon should be imprisoned as long as possible for abusing young girls and women, Jon did not show any reaction.
In November last year, Jon was convicted of 14 counts, one of them forcible rape.
Wesley said that before serving a 45-year life term, Jon must first serve a 14-year term in state prison. He has been denied bail while he prepares his appeal. Immediately, Jon was remanded to the custody of the state Department of Corrections.
The designer, who has featured on the TV show ‘American’s Next Top Model’, has worked with as popular celebrity as Paris Hilton and Mary J Blige.
Appearing as his own counsel, Jon earlier employed most part of his defence to attack juror Alvin Dymally, who had reached out to his sister Sanjana, in an obvious attempt to woo her or to offer his assistance in influencing jury deliberations in his favour.
Appearing as a witness, Shashi Abraham, Jon’s mother, told the court how Dymally had made casaul; passing contact with her during the trial at one point reassuring her that Jon was innocent and he would be set free.
“Under Young’s cross-examination, Abraham said she did not alert authorities early on about the contact because she was afraid,” reported Steven Mikulan on LA Weekly Blog, who was present inside the court proceedings.
Mikulan wrote Jon’s speeches, except for one detour into tears, were delivered in a loud, clear voice.
“I’m not perfect, but I’m not guilty,” Jon was quoted as saying.
During his defence, at one point, he even expressed frustration over the lawyers who defended his case earlier.
