Danny Masterson, a well-known US actor from the TV series That '70s Show, has been found guilty on two counts of rape by a jury in Los Angeles. The verdict comes after three women, all former members of the Church of Scientology, accused Masterson of sexually assaulting them at his Hollywood home between 2001 and 2003. Masterson, who could face up to 30 years in prison, was led away in handcuffs from the court. The prosecution argued that Masterson had used his status as a prominent Scientologist to evade accountability.
The jury, consisting of seven women and five men, was deadlocked at 8-4 on a third count, unable to reach a verdict after a week of deliberations. One of Masterson's victims, who was raped in 2003, expressed a mix of emotions including relief, exhaustion, strength, and sadness, stating that she is glad Masterson will face the consequences of his criminal behavior.
Masterson's wife, actress and model Bijou Phillips, reportedly wept as he was taken away, while his family and friends remained somber. This verdict follows an earlier trial where the jury failed to reach a verdict in December 2022. Prosecutors decided to retry Masterson, and this time the judge allowed new evidence to be presented that had been excluded from the previous trial.
Although the actor was not charged with drugging his victims, the jury heard testimony that the women had been given drugs before the sexual assaults occurred. Masterson had been initially accused of rape in 2017, during the height of the #MeToo movement. In response, he emphasized that he had not been charged or convicted of any crime and expressed concerns about being presumed guilty upon mere accusations in the prevailing climate at that time.
The charges against Masterson followed a three-year investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department. Two other cases were not pursued due to insufficient evidence and the expiration of the statute of limitations. Throughout the trial, prosecutors argued that the Church of Scientology had played a role in covering up the assaults, an allegation strongly denied by the organization. Masterson and his accusers were all affiliated with Scientology during the time of the assaults. Some of the women stated that they were discouraged by Church officials from reporting the rapes to the police, causing delays in their coming forward. Instead, they were compelled to rely on the Church's internal justice system.
According to prosecutors, one survivor was threatened with expulsion from the Church unless she signed a non-disclosure agreement and accepted a payment of $400,000 (£320,000). Judge Charlaine Olmedo permitted both the prosecution and defense to discuss the beliefs and practices of Scientology during the trial. Deputy District Attorney Ariel Anson informed jurors that the Church had taught the victims that "rape isn't rape, you caused this, and above all, you are never allowed to go to law enforcement."
Throughout the trial, the defense attempted to undermine the credibility of the accusers by pointing out inconsistencies in their testimonies and suggesting ulterior motives, such as seeking revenge against the Church. Masterson's defense lawyer stated during closing arguments that there were various motives for people not being truthful.
While the Church of Scientology was not a defendant in the case, a lawyer associated with the Church did send a complaint to the district attorney's office about its portrayal during the retrial, before closing arguments were presented. The defense also argued that the prosecution heavily relied on testimony about drugging due to a lack of evidence regarding force or violence. Masterson's lawyers unsuccessfully sought a mistrial during the proceedings.
