Actor Danny Masterson, best known for his role in “That 70s Show,” walked into a Los Angeles courthouse today, only to face a stunning verdict just hours later. The mood in the courtroom was somber, with a sense that something significant was about to happen. Masterson was convicted of raping two women in incidents dating back to 2003, during a time when they were all practicing Scientologists. However, the jury deadlocked on a third count, resulting in a mistrial. The charges do not have an effect on one another, leaving the question of whether the prosecution will retry him for the remaining alleged victim.
These convictions come after six days of deliberations and mark a breakthrough in Masterson’s legal saga. The first trial ended in a hung jury last year. Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon expressed gratitude to the three women who came forward, commending their courage and strength as an inspiration to others.
Following the guilty verdict, Masterson, deemed a flight risk, was immediately taken into custody and handcuffed while his wife, actress and model Bijou Phillips, was present in the courtroom. The potential consequences for Masterson are severe, as he could face up to 30 years to life in prison. It is a stunning fall from grace for the 47-year-old actor, who once rose to fame as the wisecracking best friend on “That 70s Show.”
The accusations against Masterson emerged in 2017, more than a decade after the alleged assaults. In 2020, he was arrested, charged, and posted a $3.3 million bail. During the early 2000s, Masterson was one of the most prominent celebrity Scientologists, known for the controversial religious group’s high-profile Hollywood adherents. The women accusing Masterson eventually left the Church of Scientology.
Throughout the recent trial, prosecutors presented evidence indicating that the victims were drugged, providing intimate details of the alleged rapes. The defense countered by highlighting inconsistencies in the victims’ stories and suggesting collusion over time. They emphasized that the case was about Masterson himself, not a battle against Scientology.
The prosecution’s strategy aimed to shed light on the Church of Scientology, explaining the reasons why the victims did not come forward sooner or in a manner expected by society. Masterson chose not to testify in his defense. The defense focused on inconsistencies, half-truths, and argued that the alleged victims led full lives.
In response to the verdict, Jane Doe number two, one of the victims, expressed a complex array of emotions, including relief, exhaustion, strength, and sadness. She acknowledged that her abuser, Danny Masterson, would now face accountability for his criminal behavior. Jane Doe number three, a longtime girlfriend of Masterson, expressed devastation that he evaded criminal accountability for his conduct against her.
Leah Remini, an actress and former Scientologist, who has supported the victims throughout the case, expressed relief after the verdict. She referred to the women who testified against Masterson as heroes. The Church of Scientology released a statement distancing itself from the case, emphasizing that the church was not a party involved and that religion had no place in the proceedings. They also stated that the church has no policy prohibiting or discouraging members from reporting criminal conduct to law enforcement.
Masterson’s conviction adds another chapter to the #MeToo movement, as he was one of the first prominent men accused of sexual offenses. For many victims, whether connected to Masterson or not, this verdict represents a sense of justice being served. Masterson has yet to comment on the verdict, and his next hearing is scheduled for August 4th.
