In a significant development, actor Danny Masterson, widely known for his role in "That '70s Show," has been found guilty on two out of three counts of rape in a retrial that saw the Church of Scientology play a central role. The jury's verdict follows seven days of deliberation over two weeks, where they were unable to reach a unanimous decision on the third count. As Masterson, aged 47, was led away from the courtroom in handcuffs, his wife Bijou Phillips wept, while other family members and friends maintained a somber demeanor.
The conviction stems from allegations that Masterson forcibly raped three women, including a former long-term girlfriend, at his Hollywood Hills home between 2001 and 2003. Prosecutors argued that he had drugged the victims' drinks to facilitate the assaults. Furthermore, they highlighted Masterson's affiliation with the Church of Scientology, where all three women were also members, suggesting that his prominence within the organization allowed him to evade accountability for decades.
Throughout the retrial, Masterson did not testify, and his defense team called no witnesses. They contended that the encounters were consensual and sought to discredit the women's testimonies by emphasizing changes and inconsistencies over time, implying possible collusion among them.
The Church of Scientology played a substantial role in both the initial trial and the retrial, with a former high-ranking Scientology official offering expert testimony on the organization's policies. Tensions ran high during the proceedings, with testimonies revealing the accusers' feelings of intimidation by certain individuals associated with the church. Notably, former Scientology member Leah Remini, a prominent critic of the organization, was present during parts of the trial, providing support to one of the accusers.
Founded by L. Ron Hubbard in 1953, the Church of Scientology boasts a significant presence in the entertainment industry. While the judge imposed limitations on discussing the church during the trial, it was allowed to explain the delayed reporting of the crimes to authorities. The accusers testified that when they initially reported the incidents to church officials, they were discouraged from pursuing legal action against a prominent member and were subjected to punitive measures themselves.
This conviction, carrying the potential sentence of up to 30 years in prison for Masterson, represents a pivotal moment for the survivors of these heinous crimes. Deputy District Attorney Reinhold Mueller, in his closing argument, emphasized the need to deliver justice to the victims, stating that Scientology had denied them justice for far too long. The defense plans to appeal, with the issue of drugging likely to be a significant factor in the appeal process.
Danny Masterson's guilt comes during a time when he enjoyed widespread fame for his role as Steven Hyde on the popular television show "That '70s Show," which aired from 1998 to 2006. While he later appeared in the Netflix comedy series "The Ranch," the LAPD investigation revealed in December 2017 resulted in his removal from the show's cast.
Note: The Associated Press does not typically name individuals who report being sexually abused.
The conviction stems from allegations that Masterson forcibly raped three women, including a former long-term girlfriend, at his Hollywood Hills home between 2001 and 2003. Prosecutors argued that he had drugged the victims' drinks to facilitate the assaults. Furthermore, they highlighted Masterson's affiliation with the Church of Scientology, where all three women were also members, suggesting that his prominence within the organization allowed him to evade accountability for decades.
Throughout the retrial, Masterson did not testify, and his defense team called no witnesses. They contended that the encounters were consensual and sought to discredit the women's testimonies by emphasizing changes and inconsistencies over time, implying possible collusion among them.
The Church of Scientology played a substantial role in both the initial trial and the retrial, with a former high-ranking Scientology official offering expert testimony on the organization's policies. Tensions ran high during the proceedings, with testimonies revealing the accusers' feelings of intimidation by certain individuals associated with the church. Notably, former Scientology member Leah Remini, a prominent critic of the organization, was present during parts of the trial, providing support to one of the accusers.
Founded by L. Ron Hubbard in 1953, the Church of Scientology boasts a significant presence in the entertainment industry. While the judge imposed limitations on discussing the church during the trial, it was allowed to explain the delayed reporting of the crimes to authorities. The accusers testified that when they initially reported the incidents to church officials, they were discouraged from pursuing legal action against a prominent member and were subjected to punitive measures themselves.
This conviction, carrying the potential sentence of up to 30 years in prison for Masterson, represents a pivotal moment for the survivors of these heinous crimes. Deputy District Attorney Reinhold Mueller, in his closing argument, emphasized the need to deliver justice to the victims, stating that Scientology had denied them justice for far too long. The defense plans to appeal, with the issue of drugging likely to be a significant factor in the appeal process.
Danny Masterson's guilt comes during a time when he enjoyed widespread fame for his role as Steven Hyde on the popular television show "That '70s Show," which aired from 1998 to 2006. While he later appeared in the Netflix comedy series "The Ranch," the LAPD investigation revealed in December 2017 resulted in his removal from the show's cast.
Note: The Associated Press does not typically name individuals who report being sexually abused.
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