Judge denies new trial for Anand Jon

A judge has denied a request for a new trial for Indian-born fashion designer Anand Jon.

His lawyers asked for a new trial on the basis of juror misconduct, saying a juror had improperly contacted Jon's sister.

In his ruling, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge David Wesley did find that the juror and Alexander's sister acted inappropriately and held both in contempt of court. However, Wesley ruled that their contact did not taint the verdicts.

Wesley said that, under California law, "a new trial will not be granted where there is a misconduct of such a trifling nature," reports the New York Post.

Reacting to the ruling, Jon said, "This is a total travesty of justice".

On November 14, 2008, a 12-member jury at the Los Angeles Superior Court had found the fashion designer guilty of sexually assaulting seven women.