The Miami brothers will be starting trial tomorrow with opening statements after a week of motions and picking the jury in SDNY. Howard Srebnick and Jackie Perzcek have one of the brothers. Marc Agnifilo and Teny Geragos (of Diddy fame) have another. The judge is known for being as pro-prosecution as they come and has already precluded the defense from putting in basic evidence -- for example, that one of the brothers got married (which evidence would show withdrawal from any supposed conspiracy and is just basic background evidence that is always admissible). That's what I like about trying cases here in SDFLA -- most judges (even the most prosecution friendly) will at least let you try your case.
Here's CNN with a preview of the trial:
Federal prosecutors accuse two of New York’s top real estate brokers, and their brother, of sexually assaulting over a dozen women and young girls over a period that spanned more than a decade.
During the trial’s opening statements, which are scheduled for Monday, prosecutors are expected to describe to a jury how they believe the three brothers — Oren and Tal Alexander, the real estate brokers to the ultra-wealthy, and Alon, an executive at the family’s security company — used their wealth and position to lure women to lavish parties or vacation destinations, drug them with cocaine and club drugs, and violently rape and sexually assault them.
Law enforcement allege the brothers identified women they found attractive on dating apps through party promoters and chance encounters, and often would pool financial resources to pay for the women’s travel expenses, according to court filings. The alleged assaults occurred from 2008 until 2021 in luxury locations in the Hamptons, Aspen, Las Vegas, Manhattan, and during a Caribbean cruise, according to court filings.
Judge Valerie Caproni, who is presiding over the trial in the Southern District of New York, ruled that several of the accusers can testify using pseudonyms, including women who were minors at the time of the alleged assaults. More than 20 women could be called to testify in the case.
Prosecutors have argued in court that they have text messages between the brothers and others arranging travel in addition to photos and videos.
As of Friday, a jury of six women and six men was selected for the trial, which is expected to last at least a month.
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