Danny Masterson found responsible of rape, faces 30 years in jail

A Los Angeles jury has convicted American actor Danny Masterson on two counts of rape, with the That ’70s Show star doubtlessly dealing with up to 30 years in jail. The actor was led from the courtroom in handcuffs after the verdict. Three girls, 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 inside the Church of Scientology to evade responsibility.
The jury, consisting of seven girls and 5 men, couldn’t reach a unanimous decision on the third depend, resulting in a impasse of 8-4 after per week of deliberations. In December 2022, a earlier jury was unable to agree on a verdict, resulting in a retrial during which new proof was permitted.
Although Masterson was not charged with drugging the victims, the jury heard testimony that the ladies had been given medicine earlier than the assaults happened. The actor was first accused of rape in 2017, in the course of the peak 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 responsible the second you are accused” in the current climate.
The verdict adopted a three-year investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department. Printable weren’t pursued because of inadequate evidence 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 claim the organisation vehemently denies. At the time of the incidents, each Masterson and his accusers were members of the church.
Several ladies claimed 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 back forward. According to prosecutors, one survivor was advised she can be expelled from the church except she signed a non-disclosure settlement and accepted a fee of US$400,000 (£320,000). Judge Charlaine Olmedo allowed each events to debate the beliefs and practices of Scientology through the trial.
Deputy District Attorney Ariel Anson told jurors, “The church taught his victims, ‘Rape isn’t rape, you triggered this, and above all, you may be by no means allowed to go to law enforcement.’” The defence tried to discredit the Jane Does by highlighting inconsistencies in their testimonies and their alleged need for “revenge” in opposition to the church. Masterson’s defence lawyer argued during closing statements, “If you’re in search of motives why individuals are not being truthful… there are motives everywhere.”

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