Danny Masterson and his wife Bijou Phillips arrive for closing arguments in his second rape trial on May 16, 2023, in Los Angeles.Chris Pizzello/AP
Actor Danny Masterson has been found guilty of two out of three counts of rape in a retrial held in Los Angeles. The jury, consisting of seven women and five men, reached the verdict after seven days of deliberation. However, they were unable to reach a verdict on the third count, which accused Masterson of raping a longtime girlfriend. Masterson, known for his role in “That ’70s Show,” could face up to 30 years in prison. His wife, Bijou Phillips, was visibly emotional as he was led away in handcuffs.
Prosecutors argued that Masterson forcibly raped three women, including a longtime girlfriend, between 2001 and 2003 in his Hollywood Hills home. They alleged that he drugged the women’s drinks to facilitate the assaults and used his affiliation with the Church of Scientology, to which all three women belonged, to evade consequences.
The defense maintained that the encounters were consensual and attempted to undermine the credibility of the women by highlighting inconsistencies in their testimonies. Masterson did not testify, and his defense team called no witnesses.
The Church of Scientology played a significant role in the trial. Expert testimony on church policy was allowed, and tensions arose between current and former Scientologists in the courtroom. The accusers expressed feeling intimidated by some members present. The church denied having any policy that discourages reporting to secular authorities.
The retrial involved graphic and emotional testimony from the victims. They described instances of being drugged and raped by Masterson. While he was not charged with drugging offenses, the issue played a major role in the trial.
Masterson’s defense team may consider an appeal, particularly regarding the inclusion of the drugging issue. The verdict marks a significant development in the case and represents a step towards accountability for the actor.
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