Court to discuss prosecutorial 'misconduct' in Anand Jon's case

Los Angeles, Mar 17 (ANI): The upcoming hearing in Indian-born fashion designer Anand Jon case is expected to address alleged prosecutorial and juror misconduct.

According to statements made in court by Jon's defense team, prosecutors defied a court order and intercepted a juror.

Jon's attorneys Leonard Levine and Ronald Richards have alleged that prosecutors stopped a juror who reportedly tried to meet with the Indian fashion designer's sister before a judgment was passed, reports IndiaPost.com.

The attorneys have in fact demanded a fresh trial for their client on the basis that they were not given a fair chance to find out why some jurors contacted the defendant's family more than once, something that demands a new trial according to the law.

They say whatever might have been the reasons for them contacting Jon's family, there has to be a new trial as per the case law.

They said that the prosecution destroyed any chance of a fair trial by not letting the truth come out.

Also, Jon's attorneys have claimed that during the trial, prosecutors twice threatened a member of their team, Eric Chase - once with arrest and, at another point, with disbarment.

The defense contends that the threats were acts of intimidation that lowered Chase's level of aggressiveness during cross-examination of prosecution witnesses.

Hearings on the defense"s sealed motions is to be held on April 1, 2009. (ANI)