The Alexander brothers, real estate tycoons from Miami, are facing serious sex trafficking charges after numerous women have come forward to testify to being groomed and raped by the brothers. Assistant U.S. Attorney Madison Smyser said in her opening statement to the jury that the Alexander brothers “masqueraded as party boys when really they were predators.” Smyser said they used “whatever means necessary” including luxury accommodations, flights, drugs, alcohol and sometimes brute force to lure women into situations where they could be raped.
The third week of the trial wrapped last week and will continue on February 24. Tal Alexander, 39, along with twins Oren and Alon Alexander, both 38, were charged in a 12-count indictment that includes conspiracy to commit sex trafficking and other crimes. If convicted, they face up to life in prison.
The assaults span nearly a decade during which the three brothers terrorized women at parties, raping them and then laughing at them believing themselves to be invincible.
On Thursday, Dr. Lisa Rocchio, a psychologist, testified that people who are sexually assaulted by someone they know typically freeze rather than fighting them or running away.
“When someone is giving up resistance or complying in response to intense fear, danger, threat and you’re having these automatic survival mechanisms, that’s absolutely not consent,” Dr. Rocchio said. “These are involuntary responses to fear.”
