Danny Masterson discovered responsible on two counts of rape after That ’70s Present actor’s case went to retrial

FORMER That ’70s Present star Danny Masterson has been discovered responsible on two of three counts of rape in a Los Angeles court docket on Wednesday.

Masterson is reportedly dealing with over 30 years on all counts, nonetheless, the jury was deadlocked on the third, making it unclear what’s going to come subsequent.

The actor plead not responsible in his first trial in October, which resulted in a mistrial a month later after the jury could not attain a choice.

Two of the 12 jurors voted to convict Masterson on one rape cost, 4 voted to convict him on a second cost, and 5 voted to convict him on the third cost.

Following the mistrial declaration, Masterson was noticed strolling out of court docket along with his spouse, Bijou Phillips, as he sported an enormous smile on his face.

His legal professional Philip Cohen stated on the time that the case was “about nothing apart from the credibility of the three accusers and that credibility may solely be decided by evaluating, contrasting and specializing in the ever-evolving statements given by the ladies.”

Masterson’s authorized group labored to get the case dismissed however had been unsuccessful because the retail started final month.

Shawn Holley, recognized from the notorious OJ Simpson trial was introduced on by Masterson’s group.

Phillips reportedly cried in court docket as Masterson was taken away in handcuffs after the responsible verdict.

“I’m experiencing a fancy array of feelings – reduction, exhaustion, energy, unhappiness – understanding that my abuser, Danny Masterson, will face accountability for his legal habits,” stated one of many ladies who Masterson was convicted of raping in an announcement.

The girl, whose depend had the jury deadlocked stated: “Whereas I’m inspired that Danny Masterson will face some legal punishment, I’m devastated that he has dodged legal accountability for his heinous conduct in opposition to me.”

Prosecutors informed the jury that Masterson drugged the ladies’s drinks so he may rape them and used his affiliation with the Church of Scientology – the place all three ladies had been additionally members on the time – to keep away from repercussions for many years.

One of many accusers was Masterson’s then-girlfriend of 5 years, who stated she woke as much as discover him raping her and needed to pull on his hair to cease him.

“The defendant medicine his victims to realize management,” stated Deputy District Legal professional Ariel Anson. “He does this to remove his victims’ means to consent.”

Masterson did not testify and his attorneys did not name for any witnesses, nonetheless, the protection argued that his interactions with the ladies had been consensual.

The protection tried to discredit the ladies by displaying modifications and inconsistencies of their tales over time.

“For those who determine {that a} witness intentionally lied about one thing on this case,” Cohen informed the jury in his closing argument. “You must contemplate not believing something that witness says.”

Present and former Scientologists crammed the courtroom as the faith performed a major function in each of Masterson’s trials.

The church was based in 1953 by L. Ron Hubbard and has many members that work in Hollywood.

Leah Remini, a former member and one of many greatest critics of the church sat in on the trial and was seen comforting one of many accusers throughout closing arguments.

The prosecution argued that the church was one of many the reason why it took the ladies so lengthy to go to police with what occurred to them.

The ladies testified that they reported Masterson to church officers and had been informed that they weren’t raped, put by ethics applications, and had been warned to not go to the police.

“They had been raped, they had been punished for it, and so they had been retaliated in opposition to,” stated Deputy District Legal professional Reinhold Mueller.

“Scientology informed them there’s no justice for them. You’ve got the chance to indicate them there may be justice.”

The church denied these allegations.

Masterson, who was recognized for taking part in Steven Hyde on the beloved sitcom, was charged in 2020 with victims alleging that the incidents occurred between 2001 to 2003 – which might have been when Masterson appeared on this system.

That ’70s Present additionally noticed the careers of Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis, and Topher Grace.

Kutcher and Masterson reunited on the Netflix comedy The Ranch, taking part in brothers Colt and Rooster Bennett in 2016.

Nonetheless, Masterson’s character was written off the present after an LAPD investigation was revealed in December 2017.

The actor has routinely denied any rape allegations in opposition to him, claiming that the incidents had been consensual.

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