1-6-2023 (LOS ANGELES) Actor Danny Masterson, known for his role in the TV series That ’70s Show, has been found guilty on two out of three counts of rape by a jury in Los Angeles. The verdict carries a potential sentence of up to 30 years in prison, and Masterson was led away from the court in handcuffs.
The charges were brought against Masterson by three women, all former members of the Church of Scientology, who accused the actor of sexually assaulting them at his Hollywood home between 2001 and 2003. Prosecutors argued that Masterson had used his status as a prominent Scientologist to evade accountability.
The jury, consisting of seven women and five men, deliberated for a week but could not reach a verdict on the third count, resulting in a deadlock at 8-4.
One of Masterson’s victims, who was raped in 2003, expressed a mix of emotions following the verdict, stating, “I am experiencing a complex array of emotions – relief, exhaustion, strength, sadness – knowing that my abuser, Danny Masterson, will face accountability for his criminal behavior,” as quoted by the Associated Press.
Masterson’s wife, actress and model Bijou Phillips, reportedly wept as he was taken into custody. Other family members and friends remained somber throughout the proceedings.
This was the second trial for Masterson, as a previous jury in December 2022 failed to reach a verdict. Prosecutors decided to retry the case, and this time the judge allowed the introduction of new evidence that had been excluded in the first trial.
Although Masterson was not charged with drugging his victims, the jury heard testimony that the women had been given drugs prior to the sexual assaults.
The initial accusation against Masterson emerged in 2017 during the height of the #MeToo movement. Masterson responded by highlighting that he had not been charged or convicted of a crime, and he criticized the climate at the time, stating, “it seems as if you are presumed guilty the moment you are accused.”
The charges against Masterson followed a three-year investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department. Two other cases were not pursued by prosecutors due to insufficient evidence and the expiration of the statute of limitations.
During the trial, prosecutors argued that the Church of Scientology had actively participated in covering up the assaults, an allegation vehemently denied by the organization. At the time of the incidents, Masterson and all three accusers were affiliated with Scientology. The prosecution claimed that the survivors were discouraged from reporting the rapes to the police and were coerced into relying on the Church’s internal justice system.
Prosecutors also alleged that Scientology officials threatened one survivor with expulsion from the Church unless she signed a non-disclosure agreement and accepted a monetary payment of $400,000 (£320,000).
The judge, Charlaine Olmedo, permitted discussions on the dogma and practices of Scientology during the trial. Deputy District Attorney Ariel Anson told jurors that the Church taught Masterson’s victims that “rape isn’t rape, you caused this, and above all, you are never allowed to go to law enforcement.”
The defence attempted to undermine the credibility of the victims, focusing on inconsistencies in their testimonies and suggesting ulterior motives for seeking “revenge” against their former Church. Masterson’s defence lawyer remarked during closing arguments, “If you are looking for motives why people are not being truthful… there are motives all over the place.”
Although the Church of Scientology was not a defendant in the case, a lawyer with connections to the Church lodged a complaint with the district attorney’s office regarding the portrayal of Scientology during the retrial.
The defence also argued that the prosecution heavily relied on testimony regarding drugging due to a lack of evidence of force or violence.
Masterson’s legal team unsuccessfully sought a mistrial declaration during the proceedings.
