Prosecutorial team in Anand Jon case may have committed perjury

Los Angeles, April 7 (ANI): Each testimony in the latest hearing on prosecutorial misconduct in Anand Jon case was contradictory, fuelling claims that the Indian fashion designer has been a victim of unfair trial.

During the hearing, Brian Bennett, the supervising investigator on the case for the Los Angeles district attorney's office, admitted that a juror was stopped from meeting Jon's sister Sanjana, reports LA Weekly.

Bennett testified that Juror No. 12 was intercepted on his way to the meeting because he knew the defence would place a wire on Sanjana and record the meeting at a coffee shop.

DDA Mara McIlvain testified that she did not even know about the decision to 'intercept the juror'.

However, Bennett took the stand to reveal that McIlvain was lying under oath as he stated that though the investigative team made the decision it was first discussed with both McIlvain and DDA Francis Young.

He also said that both DDA's did not inform him that the court had in fact authorized the vital sting operation nor mentioned the fact that Judge Wesley himself raised concerns about possible extortion plot.

Contrary to McIlvain's testimony, Bennett stated that both the prosecutors were involved in the planning meeting to subvert the defense investigation.

DA investigators Laurie Devine and Chris Turpin then took the stand. Each contradicted the previous testimony of their bosses. Investigator Turpin verified that both DDA's were in the room and gave 'instructions' regularly throughout this case.

However, Investigator Devine stated that neither DDA was present.

After the proceedings where these prosecutors were caught in their own schemes and lies under oath, defense attorney Leonard Levine said: "This gives new meaning to the phrase 'win at any cost'; such blatant misconduct should cause the recusal of the entire DA's office, at the same time granting Anand Jon a new trial." (ANI)