Danny Masterson, 'That '70s Show' Star, Guilty of Rape After Retrial

Danny Masterson, known for his role as Andy on the TV show "That '70s Show," has been found guilty on two of the three charges of rape brought against him by a Los Angeles jury, BBC reports.

The verdict could potentially result in a prison sentence of up to 30 years for Masterson, who was seen being escorted out of the courtroom in restraints.

The charges against Masterson involved accusations of sexual assault by three women at his Hollywood residence between 2001 and 2003, all of whom were former members of the Church of Scientology.

The prosecution argued that Masterson had exploited his position as a prominent Scientologist to evade accountability.

Following a week-long deliberation, the jury, consisting of seven women and five men, reached an impasse with a split of 8-4 on a third count. This outcome mirrored a previous trial in December 2022, which also ended without a decision.

However, in this retrial, the judge allowed the defense to introduce additional previously excluded evidence. Masterson was not charged with drugging his victims, despite allegations that the women had been dosed before the assaults.

The case gained attention during the height of the #MeToo movement in 2017 when Masterson was first accused of rape.

While maintaining his innocence, Masterson expressed frustration with the presumption of guilt that accompanied such allegations.

The Los Angeles Police Department dedicated three years to investigating the case before ultimately filing charges. In two other instances, prosecutors declined to pursue charges due to insufficient evidence or the passage of time.

Danny Masterson Rape Case Victims React to Verdict

Following the announcement of the verdict, US actor Danny Masterson was immediately arrested and denied release pending sentencing by Judge Charlaine Olmedo. A hearing has been scheduled for August 4 to address further proceedings in the case.

During the court proceedings, according to Variety, Masterson's wife, Bijou Phillips, was observed in the front row, visibly distraught and shedding tears.

One of the victims, identified as "Jane Doe 2" in court documents, released a statement expressing a mixture of emotions in response to Masterson's conviction. She conveyed a sense of relief, exhaustion, strength, and sadness, emphasizing the importance of holding Masterson accountable for his criminal behavior.

The statement also alluded to a civil action in which the victims, including Jane Doe 2, sued Masterson and the Church of Scientology for harassment and stalking.

She stated, "I am disappointed that he was not convicted on all counts, but take great solace in the fact that he, the Church of Scientology, and others will have to account for their abhorrent actions in civil court fully."

Another individual referred to as "Jane Doe 3," identified as Masterson's ex-girlfriend, released a statement expressing devastation that he had evaded criminal accountability for his alleged misconduct.

She asserted her intention to seek answers through the civil court system, along with two other women, to shed light on how Scientology and other individuals allegedly enabled and covered up Masterson's actions.

Assistant District Attorney George Gascón of Los Angeles thanked the jury and praised the bravery demonstrated by the women who came forward.

Danny Masterson Did Not Testify During the Trial

"That '70s Show" actor Danny Masterson chose not to testify at the trial, and his attorneys refrained from presenting any witnesses, according to The Guardian.

The defense strategy revolved around asserting that the alleged activities were consensual and aimed to cast doubt on the credibility of the women's testimonies. The defense highlighted changes and inconsistencies in the accounts provided by the women over time, suggesting possible collusion.

Addressing the jury, defense counsel Philip Cohen urged them to consider the credibility of the witnesses carefully.

He stated, "If you decide that a witness deliberately lied about something in this case, you should consider not believing anything that witness says."

The Church of Scientology emerged as a significant presence throughout both trials, with its involvement becoming more pronounced in the second trial. Judge Charlaine F. Olmedo allowed the testimony of a former Scientology executive turned outspoken critic to provide insight into church policies.

The Church of Scientology has notable connections within the entertainment industry, as numerous individuals in the field are affiliated with the religious organization founded by L. Ron Hubbard in 1953.

However, Judge Olmedo restricted the prosecution's utilization of church testimony, permitting its use solely to explain the delay in the women reporting the incidents to the police.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Jury finds Danny Masterson guilty of 2 counts of rape in retrial - From ABC 7 Chicago