A jury in Los Angeles has reached a verdict in the high-profile trial of actor Danny Masterson, best known for his role in the TV series That ’70s Show. Masterson has been found guilty on two out of three counts of rape, and he now faces the possibility of up to 30 years in prison. The actor was taken into custody, led from the court in handcuffs, as his wife, Bijou Phillips, wept.
All you need to know about the Danny Masterson case
The charges against Masterson stemmed from accusations made by three women, all former members of the Church of Scientology, who claimed they were sexually assaulted by the actor at his Hollywood home between 2001 and 2003. Prosecutors argued that Masterson had used his status as a prominent Scientologist to evade accountability for his actions.
The jury, consisting of seven women and five men, deliberated for a week before delivering their verdict. They found Masterson guilty of two counts of rape but were unable to reach a verdict on the third count, resulting in a deadlock at 8-4. Masterson’s defense team had tried to undermine the credibility of the accusers by highlighting inconsistencies in their testimony and suggesting ulterior motives.
One of the 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,” according to a statement quoted by the Associated Press.
This was the second trial for Masterson, as an earlier jury failed to reach a verdict in December 2022. Prosecutors decided to retry the case, and this time the judge allowed the presentation of new evidence that had previously been barred.
#MeToo Movement
Although Masterson was not charged with drugging his victims, the jury heard testimony alleging that the women were dosed before the assaults took place. The actor had been first accused of rape in 2017 during the height of the #MeToo movement. He responded by emphasizing his lack of charges or convictions at the time and criticized the presumption of guilt associated with accusations during that period. Throughout the trial, prosecutors argued that the Church of Scientology had played a role in covering up the assaults. The Church, however, vehemently denied the allegations, stating that it was not involved in the case and accusing the prosecution of violating the First Amendment by attacking the Church during the trial.
During the proceedings, evidence was presented suggesting that the Church discouraged the victims from reporting the rapes to the police and instead compelled them to rely on the Church’s internal justice system. One survivor was allegedly threatened with expulsion unless she signed a non-disclosure agreement and accepted a substantial payment.
As the verdict was announced, Masterson’s defense team attempted to have a mistrial declared but was unsuccessful. The actor’s sentencing will take place at a later date, and he may face a substantial prison term for his crimes. The trial of Danny Masterson has once again brought attention to issues of sexual assault and abuse within the entertainment industry, highlighting the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions regardless of their fame or position.
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