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Danny Masterson is found guilty on two counts in a retrial for rape.

The actor from "That '70s Show" was charged with raping three women.

By Universe InsightPublished 11 months ago 3 min read
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On May 16, 2023, in Los Angeles, Danny Masterson and his wife Bijou Phillips come for the conclusion of his second rape trial. Author: Chris Pizzello

In a retrial of a case involving three women, a jury in Los Angeles has found former "That '70s Show" star Danny Masterson guilty of two counts of forced rape.

The third count brought against Jane Doe 3 has been dismissed.

The jury deliberated for six days, starting on May 17 and coming to a decision on Wednesday afternoon.

After being accused of three counts of felony rape by three different women, including a former lover, Masterson, 47, entered a not guilty plea. Attacks were allegedly carried out between 2001 and 2003.

He could spend the rest of his life in prison. On August 4, a sentencing hearing will take place.

After the verdict, Masterson was remanded into custody because he was thought to pose a flight risk.

The first trial ended in a mistrial in November 2022, with the jury deadlocked and unable to reach a conviction.

The three alleged victims were members of the Church of Scientology, as was Masterson. All three ladies stated they were first afraid to speak to law enforcement because they said church doctrine prohibited reporting to police. The women eventually exited the church.

One woman said the actor slammed a pillow into her face in 2003 while raping her.

Another woman, Jane Doe 3, who was dating Masterson at the time, claimed he assaulted her in 2001 while she was asleep. She and Jane Doe 2 are also engaged in a related civil case against Masterson and the Church of Scientology.

Jane Doe 3 declared that she was "devastated" by the mistrial on her count after the jury's verdict.

In a statement released through her attorneys, Boies Schiller Flexner, Jane Doe 3 said, "I thank the jury for its service, and while I'm encouraged that Danny Masterson will face some criminal punishment, I am devastated that he has dodged criminal accountability for his heinous conduct against me." Despite my displeasure with the result, I am still committed to obtaining justice, especially in civil court, where I and my co-plaintiffs will expose how Scientology and other conspirators encouraged and attempted to hide Masterson's horrible behavior.

Boies Schiller Flexner client Jane Doe 2 expressed disappointment that Masterson wasn't found guilty on all three charges.

Jane Doe 2 stated in a statement, "I am experiencing a complex array of emotions, including relief, exhaustion, strength, and sadness, knowing that my abuser, Danny Masterson, will be held accountable for his criminal behavior." I regret that he was not found guilty on all charges, but I find tremendous comfort in the knowledge that he, the Church of Scientology, and others will have to answer completely for their heinous deeds in civil court.

Prosecutors stated in the opening statements of the current trial in late April that the evidence will demonstrate that the ladies were also drugged, a claim that was not directly made during the first trial but was permitted in the retrial. A fourth woman, who said Masterson drugged and assaulted her in 2000, was also brought in.

The defense, on the other hand, argued that the putative victims' accounts are contradictory and contended that the ladies had cooperated over time. Scientology is "not a defendant" in the legal proceeding, they also added.

According to ABC Los Angeles affiliate KABC, Deputy District Attorney Reinhold Mueller stated to the jury during closing arguments that the women were "absolutely wrecked" after having a tiny amount to drink and that the "reasonable explanation" is that they were drugged.

Prosecutors stated in the opening statements of the current trial in late April that the evidence will demonstrate that the ladies were also drugged, a claim that was not directly made during the first trial but was permitted in the retrial. A fourth woman, who said Masterson drugged and assaulted her in 2000, was also brought in.

The defense, on the other hand, argued that the putative victims' accounts are contradictory and contended that the ladies had cooperated over time. Scientology is "not a defendant" in the legal proceeding, they also added.

According to ABC Los Angeles affiliate KABC, Deputy District Attorney Reinhold Mueller stated to the jury during closing arguments that the women were "absolutely wrecked" after having a tiny amount to drink and that the "reasonable explanation" is that they were drugged.

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