Danny Masterson guilty in rape retrial
Actor Danny Masterson was taken away in handcuffs and will be held without bail until sentencing
Danny Masterson was found guilty Wednesday in his rape retrial. He was found guilty on two counts of forcible rape. The jury was hung on a third charge.
Masterson could face 30 years to life in prison. A sentencing date has not been set yet, but Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Charlaine Olmedo advised Masterson and his lawyers to return to court Aug. 4 for a hearing.
A jury of seven men and five women deliberated for eight days before reaching the verdicts.
The former "That '70s Show" actor was on trial for the second time in less than six months after his first ended in a mistrial.
Masterson, 47, initially faced up to 45 years in prison if he was found guilty on three counts of rape by force or fear on alleged sexual assaults, which occurred between 2001 and 2003 at his Hollywood Hills home.
MISTRIAL DECLARED IN DANNY MASTERSON'S RAPE TRIAL
Danny Masterson arrives at Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center in downtown Los Angeles on Wednesday. (Myung J. Chun)
His wife, actor and model Bijou Phillips, gasped when the verdict was read and wept as he was led away. Other family and friends sat stone-faced.
One of the accusers, whom Masterson was convicted of raping at his home in 2003, said in a statement provided to Fox News Digital on behalf of attorneys with Boies Schiller Flexner, "I am experiencing a complex array of emotions — relief, exhaustion, strength, sadness — knowing that my abuser, Danny Masterson, will face accountability for his criminal behavior."
DANNY MASTERSON'S RAPE RETRIAL BEGINS WITH JURY SELECTION PROCESS IN LA
Another Jane Doe 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 disappointment in this outcome, I remain determined to secure justice, including in civil court, where I, along with my co-plaintiffs, will shine a light on how Scientology and other conspirators enabled and sought to cover up Masterson’s monstrous behavior."
Prosecutors told jurors that Masterson drugged the women’s drinks so he could rape them. They said he used his prominence in the church — where all three women were also members at the time — to avoid consequences for decades.The accusers alleged they were hesitant to file charges due to the church's strict protocols against public involvement with member issues.
Masterson heads to court Wednesday morning with his wife Bijou Phillips. (Myung J. Chun)
Masterson's legal team argued that the acts were consensual, and attempted to discredit the women’s stories by highlighting changes and inconsistencies over time, which they said showed signs of coordination between them.
Testimony in this case was graphic and emotional.
Two women, who knew Masterson from social circles in the church, said he gave them drinks and that they then became woozy or passed out before he violently raped them in 2003.
The third, Masterson’s then-girlfriend of five years, said she awoke to find him raping her, and had to pull his hair to stop him.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER
"We want to express our gratitude to the three women who came forward and bravely shared their experiences. Their courage and strength have been an inspiration to us all." District Attorney George Gascón said in a statement. "While we are disappointed that the jury did not convict on all counts, we respect their decision. The verdicts handed down by the jury in this case were undoubtedly a difficult one to reach and we thank the jurors for their service."
Phillips wept as Masterson was led away from court in handcuffs after the verdict was read. (Myung J. Chun)
He added, "We also recognize that preventing sexual assault is critical and we will continue to educate the public on the importance of consent, healthy relationships, and bystander intervention. We believe that by working together, we can create a safer and more just society for all."
The jury heard closing arguments from Deputy District Attorney Ariel Anson on May 16.
Masterson was arrested in June 2020 and had been free on a $3.3 million bond. Masterson pleaded not guilty to the charges and has maintained his innocence.
"The defendant drugs his victims to gain control. He does this to take away his victims’ ability to consent," Anson said. "You don’t want to have sex? You don’t have a choice. The defendant makes that choice for these victims. And he does it over and over and over again."
Masterson appears in court in Los Angeles earlier this month. (Chris Pizzello)
Masterson faces up to 30 years to life in prison after being convicted on two rape charges. (Anna Weber)
Masterson's attorney, Philip Cohen, argued that inconsistencies in the women's stories were downplayed by the district attorney, and essential for proving reasonable doubt of Masterson's guilt.
"[Anson] did a very nice job of ignoring many of them," Cohen said. "What she views as little inconsistencies are at the heart of trying to determine, ‘Is somebody, reliable, credible, believable enough for a criminal conviction?’"
Judge Olmedo declared the mistrial in November after finding jurors "hopelessly deadlocked" in reaching a unanimous decision.
No comments: