Danny Masterson, star of the hit show ‘That ’70s Show’, has been convicted of two counts of rape and could potentially face a maximum sentence of 30 years behind bars.
Following a trial in which the Church of Scientology played a significant role, Masterson, 47, was found guilty by a Los Angeles jury on two out of three rape charges. Prosecutors alleged that between 2001 and 2003, Masterson drugged and forcibly raped three women in his Hollywood Hills home. All three women were members of the church at the time, and prosecutors argued that Masterson used his influence within the organization to evade accountability for his actions over the years.
The charges against Masterson stem from the peak of his fame when he portrayed Steven Hyde on Fox’s ‘That ’70s Show’ from 1998 to 2006, alongside Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis, and Topher Grace.
Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón expressed gratitude towards the courageous women who came forward and shared their experiences. One of the women, who was raped by Masterson in 2003, stated that she felt a complex mix of emotions, including relief, exhaustion, strength, and sadness upon learning of his conviction. Another woman, a former girlfriend, expressed her devastation that Masterson had managed to evade criminal accountability for his actions against her, even though he would face some level of punishment.
During the trial, Masterson did not testify, and his defense team did not present any witnesses. They argued that the sexual encounters were consensual and attempted to undermine the credibility of the accusers by highlighting changes and inconsistencies in their accounts over time, suggesting possible coordination.
The Church of Scientology played a significant role throughout the trial, with the judge allowing expert testimony on church policy from a former high-ranking official who has since become a prominent critic. Tensions escalated within the courtroom between current and former Scientologists, and the accusers testified that they felt intimidated by certain church members present. Leah Remini, a former member and vocal critic of the church, attended the trial and showed support to one of the accusers during closing arguments.
The Church of Scientology released a statement after the verdict, claiming that the introduction of religion into the trial violated the First Amendment and the due process rights of all Americans. The church emphasized that it was not a party to the case and asserted that religion had no place in the proceedings, citing Supreme Court precedent.
In addition to the criminal case, two of the accusers have filed a civil lawsuit alleging harassment. A hearing is scheduled for the following week to address how a lawyer representing the Church of Scientology obtained evidence that had been shared between the prosecution and the defense.
SOURCE: Ref – AP
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