Family of convicted designer tries to boost his public image.
By Bala Chandran
WASHINGTON, DC: In a concerted effort to prove that he is innocent, the lawyer and the family of Indian American designer Anand Jon are redoubling their endeavors to overturn his conviction through a campaign aimed at improving Jon’s public image.
Jon pled guilty to one count of indictment in forcing oral sex on a victim in a plea bargain in exchange for the dismissal of most of the 49-count indictment against him, in New York City, last week. In return, the prosecutor turned over documents that Jon’s attorney Angelyn Gates believe will play a crucial role in his appeal process in California.
Jon is currently serving a 59-year sentence for his prior conviction in California. A celebrity fashion designer who has appeared on America’s Next Top Model, Jon has also designed clothing for Mary J. Blige and Paris Hilton.
According to Gates, a California criminal defense lawyer, the documents turned over by the prosecutor included email, phone, and social media records from websites such as MySpace and Facebook. These records were not turned over to the attorneys prior to Jon’s trial last Thursday. Gates’ hope is that these records will establish a strong enough collusion case against the testimonies given by women involved.
“They were talking to each other about going to the police, pressuring other young women to go to the police—basically concocting a case against him,” said Gates, in an interview here.
The documents obtained last Thursday are only the beginning of Gates’ strategy to prove her client’s innocence and involves other documents that have not been obtained. Along with appealing the California conviction, Gates also plans to use a public campaign to disprove the negative image that Jon has in the media.
Recognizing the influence that public opinion might have on the courts as well as witnesses who might be too intimidated to testify on behalf of the designer, Gates believes, “once the public starts to see that Anand actually was framed by a lot of these girls…I think more people will…feel more comfortable coming forward and telling the truth.”
Gates has singled out the media for deliberately ignoring Jon’s side of the story.
“The [American] press in the past has not wanted to print anything from our side,” Gates said.
Explaining her legal strategy, Gates said the defense team will file a petition for a writ of habeas corpus for all documents pertaining to the case. In doing so in front of the appellate and trial courts, Gates is pursuing a case that will establish “actual collusion” and “prove that [the witnesses’] testimony was actually false.”
So far, Gates and Jon’s family members have been meeting with groups of Indian Americans in different cities in order to build positive public opinion momentum.
Jon’s sister, Sanjana Jon, has pointed to the most recent legal development as proof of her brother’s innocence: “This is a total case of victimization…[and] the media hype, witch hunt, that has actually put an innocent man behind bars for six years is not the truth.” (Global India Newswire)
(Crystal Tsoi contributed to this report.)
To contact the author, e-mail: editor@americanbazaaronline.com
1 Comment
This lady is a totally a Joke and lies all the time. She was claimed that she was a private investigator went to all my family and friends homes. She practically barged herself into my home with a fake body guard and came totally announced with out notice. She not only made the situation worse for me and my ex but charged a fortune . The lady is super rude and is finally under investigation (thank god!) as we have her on camera claiming to be someone she’s not. Don’t trust her!