One witness who is expected to testify was 16 years old when Tal Alexander “held her down as his brother Alon and two others took turns raping her”, according to Smyser.
Jurors will also hear about a time Oren Alexander allegedly videotaped himself raping a 17-year-old, who will testify under the name Amelia.
Oren Alexander allegedly sent that video to a friend, “proud of what he had done”, Smyser told the jury. Jurors are expected to see the video.
The brothers have pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Their lawyers suggested that the accusers falsely claimed sexual encounters were non-consensual because of regret and embarrassment. Some were also motivated by the possibility of financial gains, the lawyers said.
Oren and Tal Alexander were at the top of the luxury real estate business and were highly visible in social circles in New York, the Hamptons, Florida and elsewhere during the alleged sex-trafficking conspiracy that began in 2008 and allegedly lasted more than a decade.
Alon Alexander was a lawyer and executive.
Teny Geragos, a lawyer for Oren Alexander, said her client was a “womaniser” and “playboy” but not a rapist.
“He was out to have as much sex as possible with as many women as he could, but he was not a predator,” Geragos said in her opening remarks.
The trial in the US District Court in Manhattan is expected to last a month.
The brothers are being held without bond. Each brother faces up to life in prison if convicted on the most serious charges.
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