29 January,2009 07:05 AM IST | | Ketan Ranga
The family of fashion designer Anand Jon who has been held guilty by a Los Angeles court of rape and 15 counts of sexual assault, has pinned hopes on a retrial and believes that he would be out of jail in some time. Jon was supposed to have been sentenced on January 13, but it has been postponed.
Speaking to MiD Day from Los Angeles this morning, his sister Sanjana Jon, who had attended the court hearing, said, We are hoping for a new trial. As everyone knows Jon has been framed. The defence has filed three motions to challenge the prosecution and the need for a new trail. She added, I believe in truth and justice and I know that he is innocent.
On January 13, the defence filed a motion stating that the prosecution and the police had framed Jon and had provided evidence of his innocence. After Jon was convicted in November, a polygraph test showed that he hadn't been lying. If Jon does not undergo a retrial, he will have to serve 67 years in jail before he is eligible for parole.
Sanjana said, The judge has considered the defence motions and will look into them one by one. If he finds evidence proving Jon innocent and any misconduct by the prosecution and the police, he will order a fresh trail.
The judge said that the retrial would all depend upon the evidences provided by the defence.
The three motions that have been filed by the defence include the statement of several witnesses that have made allegation against the prosecution and the police for coaxing and intimidating them for filing false statements.
They include evidence against the alleged victim that have accused him and for which he has been proven guilty.
