LA juror fined for trying to romance sister of fashion designer convicted in rape case

LA juror fined in fashion designer rape case

LOS ANGELES — The nephew of a former state legislator on Monday was fined $1,000 and ordered to perform 120 hours of community service for trying to start a romance with the sister of Anand Jon Alexander while he served as a juror during the fashion designer’s sex assault trial.

Superior Court Judge David Wesley called the actions of Alvin Dymally “disgraceful” and said he was prepared to have Dymally serve five days in jail but opted to fine him once Dymally admitted his transgression.

Dymally, wearing a powder blue shirt and jeans, rambled for several minutes, thanking the judge and prosecutors. However, he failed to explain why he sought out Alexander’s sister, Sanjana.

“It really wasn’t what it appeared,” Dymally, 46, told the judge. “I don’t take this lightly. I’m definitely 150 percent sorry.”

Outside court, Dymally scurried to an elevator and declined to answer questions. His court-appointed attorney, Pierpoint Laidley, also refused to answer questions about his client’s motivation.

Laidley confirmed his client is the nephew of Mervyn Dymally, a former state assemblyman, senator and lieutenant governor who also served in Congress for more than a decade.

In July, the judge found Alvin Dymally in contempt of court after determining he appeared to be seeking a romantic relationship with Sanjana Alexander when he spoke to her by phone twice during the trial and offered his help.

Jane Robison, a spokeswoman for the district attorney’s office, said the case was being evaluated for possible criminal contempt charges against Dymally.

Sanjana Alexander also was found to be in contempt of court and has a hearing Friday.

The sordid drama occurred shortly after Anand Jon Alexander, 35, was convicted in November of 14 counts including forcible rape. He was found not guilty of four felonies and jurors could not reach a verdict on three counts.

Alexander was sentenced last month to 59 years to life in prison for sexually assaulting aspiring models. He had been featured on the TV show “America’s Next Top Model” and worked with such celebrities as Paris Hilton and Mary J. Blige.

His sister told defense attorneys that Dymally, who was Juror No. 12, had passed her a note with his phone number at the courthouse cafeteria before a verdict was reached. Jurors are admonished in state and federal courts not to speak about the case with anyone during the trial.

Sanjana Alexander said she called Dymally from a pay phone. Dymally didn’t know she recorded the conversation.

At a hearing in May, Dymally testified under oath that he never spoke with Sanjana Alexander during the trial. Defense attorneys then presented the tape of the conversation along with phone records that proved Dymally and Sanjana Alexander had talked during the trial.

In a transcript of the conversation presented by prosecutors, Dymally compliments Sanjana Alexander’s eyes and long hair.

Wesley was none too pleased with Dymally, saying the rogue juror had wasted taxpayer dollars and had thrown the verdict into question. An appeal is likely.

“I don’t think it was malicious or evil. I think it was naive and an ill-considered act on your part,” Wesley said. “But I think you were less than truthful under oath.”

Wesley denied Alexander’s motion for a new trial twice, saying the verdict hadn’t been swayed by Dymally’s behavior.

Juror misconduct statistics aren’t kept for federal or state cases. Legal observers said most problems are minor infractions.

“It’s pretty rare a judge takes a contempt action against any of them,” said Greg Hurley, an analyst with the National Center for State Courts.