A Los Angeles jury has convicted American actor Danny Masterson on two counts of rape, with the That ’70s Show star doubtlessly facing as much as 30 years in prison. The actor was led from the courtroom in handcuffs after the verdict. Three ladies, all former Church of Scientology members, accused Masterson of sexually assaulting them at his Hollywood residence between 2001 and 2003. Prosecutors claimed that the actor used his prominent position throughout the Church of Scientology to evade duty.
Unique , consisting of seven girls and five males, couldn’t attain a unanimous choice on the third count, leading to a impasse of 8-4 after a week of deliberations. In December 2022, a earlier jury was unable to agree on a verdict, resulting in a retrial in which new proof was permitted.
Although Masterson was not charged with drugging the victims, the jury heard testimony that the ladies had been given medication earlier than the assaults happened. The actor was first accused of rape in 2017, through the height of the #MeToo motion. At the time, he stated that he had not been charged or convicted, and that it seemed as if one was “presumed guilty the second you’re accused” within the current climate.
The verdict followed a three-year investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department. Two other instances were not pursued because of insufficient proof and the expiration of the statute of limitations. Throughout the trial, it was argued that the Church of Scientology had assisted in concealing the assaults, a declare the organisation vehemently denies. At the time of the incidents, both Masterson and his accusers had been members of the church.
Several women claimed that that they had been discouraged from reporting the assaults to the police by Church of Scientology officials, which is why it took them years to come ahead. According to prosecutors, one survivor was advised she can be expelled from the church until she signed a non-disclosure agreement and accepted a cost of US$400,000 (£320,000). Judge Charlaine Olmedo allowed each events to discuss the beliefs and practices of Scientology through the trial.
Deputy District Attorney Ariel Anson advised jurors, “The church taught his victims, ‘Rape isn’t rape, you caused this, and above all, you are never allowed to go to legislation enforcement.’” The defence tried to discredit the Jane Does by highlighting inconsistencies of their testimonies and their alleged need for “revenge” against the church. Masterson’s defence lawyer argued throughout closing statements, “If you are in search of motives why persons are not being truthful… there are motives all over the place.”