TV star Danny Masterson discovered responsible of two counts of rape
US TV star Danny Masterson has been discovered responsible of two counts of rape.
The actor, 47, confronted accusations by three girls that he raped them at his house in Hollywood Hills between 2001 and 2003.
At the time, Masterson was on the top of his fame – starring alongside Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis within the hit US sitcom That ’70s Show.
Two of the ladies, who knew Masterson by means of the Church of Scientology, claimed the actor drugged them earlier than the intercourse assaults.
A 3rd lady, a former girlfriend of Masterson, and in addition a part of the Church of Scientology, alleged that she was raped by the TV star in the course of the course of their relationship.
The actor denied the allegations, claiming the intercourse was consensual.
Lawyers for Masterson – who was not charged with any drugging offences – additionally advised the jury that there was no toxicology proof to again up the spiking claims.
On Wednesday, at a court docket in Los Angeles, the actor was discovered responsible of two counts of rape by a jury, on a majority verdict of 8-4.
The jury couldn’t attain a verdict within the third rely, regarding the allegations made by Masterson’s former girlfriend.
Masterson, who was led away from the court docket in handcuffs after the verdicts, might face 30 years to life in jail.
His spouse, actor and mannequin Bijou Phillips, wept as he was led away.
Danny Masterson pictured in 2016 with former That ’70s Show co-star Ashton Kutcher
The verdicts come after Masterson confronted a retrial over the allegations. The earlier trial resulted in December with the jury unable to achieve a verdict.
The trial heard that Masterson met all three of his victims by means of the Church of Scientology.
Prosecutors within the case alleged that Masterson raped the ladies after which used his prominence within the church to keep away from penalties for many years.
The girls testified that after they reported Masterson to church officers, they had been advised they weren’t raped, had been put by means of ethics applications, and warned in opposition to going to legislation enforcement to report a member of such excessive standing.
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“They were raped, they were punished for it, and they were retaliated against,” deputy district legal professional Reinhold Mueller advised jurors in his closing argument.
“Scientology told them there’s no justice for them. You have the opportunity to show them there is justice.”
Judge Charlaine Olmedo allowed professional proof on church coverage from a former official in Scientology who has since develop into a distinguished opponent.
The church strongly denied having any coverage that forbids members from going to secular authorities.
Masterson didn’t give proof in the course of the trial, and his legal professionals referred to as no witnesses.
His legal professionals argued that the acts had been consensual and tried to discredit the ladies’s allegations by highlighting adjustments and inconsistencies of their accounts over time.
A spokesperson for Masterson declined to remark to the Associated Press (AP) following the decision, however the news company reported that his legal professionals are more likely to enchantment in opposition to the convictions.