The defense has been putting on its case. Detective Cranham of the Beverly Hills police department was called to the stand and questioned as to whether she had interviewed the rape victims, or alleged ones, in person or by phone. It emerged that some were only interviewed by phone.
The defense is also trying to knock down allegations involving the suggestion that Jon drugged his victims. Questions are being asked to demonstrate that no date rape drugs were found in Jon’s apartment. (But as I’ve noted earlier, there are photos that show alcohol in abundance.)
The credibility of the accusers is being attacked – they wanted to make money off of accusing Jon, they were angry at him for being dumped. The defense has always maintained that the girls were, essentially, a conspiracy because they communicated with one another. I don’t know that the jury will see it that way.
But this dances around the heart of the matter. I am told by people close to the defense team that Anand Jon will not be testifying. If true, that’s a shame. We all would like to hear him convincingly deny the rape of nine women (actually, i’ve already heard him deny it, but it’s quite another thing in open court). This says to me that his defense team feels that there are enough inconsistencies in the testimony of the rape victims to exonerate their client, or at least have a shot at that.
All through this case, Jon has indicated to me that he couldn’t wait to tell his story. Having spoken to him several times, I’m sure he’d be a convincing witness in his own defense.
But it’s always a risk to put a defendant on the stand. Jon could come off as arrogant and lacking compassion. His belief that he has done no wrong at all may not sit well with a jury that, whatever the fine points of the law, would like to see a remorseful Lothario, at the very least.
The problem there is that Jon truly believes in his own martyrdom. And his worshipful family has reinforced his deep faith that he has done nothing wrong. (Even my taxi driver in Dubai, an Indian from Kerala, had heard of Jon and said: “That fashion designer who’s in trouble for rape?”)
My information is that the case will be dark on Friday, and that closing statements begin on Wednesday, October 29. I will try to be there for at least some of that, and fill you in.
