A US jury has been instructed that Danny Masterson allegedly used his “untouchable” place within the Church of Scientology to keep away from penalties for drugging and raping ladies.
The American actor — who first rose to international fame following his look as Steven Hyde within the sitcom That ‘70s Present — is on trial for the second time following allegations of rape. The primary led to a mistrial again in December 2022.
Masterson is accused of three expenses of rape, all going down at his residence between the interval of 2001 and 2003. He has pleaded not responsible to all expenses.
Within the closing arguments of Friday’s trial (Might 14), the jury had been instructed that the actor drugged ladies’s drinks so he may rape them, and later relied on his affect within the Church of Scientology to keep away from going through any penalties.
“The defendant medicine his victims to achieve management. He does this to remove his victims’ potential to consent,” stated Prosecution lawyer Ariel Anson on the trial (by way of Sky Information). “You don’t need to have intercourse? You don’t have a selection. The defendant makes that selection for these victims. And he does it over and time and again.”
Danny Masterson in September, 2017. Credit score: Getty/Paul Archuleta
Following the allegations, the 47-year-old actor has persistently denied all expenses filed in opposition to him.
Counteracting the claims made by Anson, Masterson’s lawyer Philip Cohen highlighted the inconsistencies throughout the tales of these making the accusations. “[Ms Anson] did a really good job of ignoring lots of them,” he instructed jurors. “What she views as little inconsistencies are on the coronary heart of making an attempt to find out is anyone, dependable, credible, plausible sufficient for a prison conviction?”
In her case, Anson additionally insinuated that the controversial Church of Scientology allowed Masterson to consider he may get away with any alleged wrongdoing, and claimed that the church had the affect to stop the ladies from reporting the occasions to the police.
“The church taught his victims ‘rape isn’t rape, you induced this, and above all, you might be by no means allowed to go to legislation enforcement’,” she stated. “In Scientology, the defendant is a celeb and he’s untouchable.”
The church has denied having any coverage discouraging members from going to legislation enforcement.
One individual supporting the accusations in opposition to Masterson of the costs is The King Of Queens actress and former member of the church Leah Remini — who gave proof throughout each trials that she was raped by the actor in 2003.
Of the three ladies accusing Masterson, one is a former girlfriend who claimed that the actor raped her in 2001, 5 years into their relationship. The opposite two are stated
to have met him by way of circles surrounding the church (by way of Sky Information).
Lisa Robin Kelly, Wilmer Valderrama, Topher Grace, Ashton Kutcher, Danny Masterson, Laura Prepon and Mila Kunis in ‘That ‘70s Present’. CREDIT: AJ Pics/Alamy
There is no such thing as a bodily proof to counsel that Masterson drugged any of the ladies, nonetheless, to this Anson instructed jurors {that a} police toxicology professional who described the signs needs to be sufficient.
Again in February, That ‘70s Present co-star Ashton Kutcher opened up concerning the sexual abuse allegations going through Masterson. Chatting with Esquire the actor expressed his hope that the accusations are false, as Masterson had been an enormous mentor for him all through his profession.
“In the end, I can’t know,” he stated. “I’m not the choose. I’m not the jury. I’m not the DA. I’m not the sufferer. And I’m not the accused. And so, in that case, I don’t have an area to remark. I simply don’t know.”
For assist, recommendation or extra info relating to sexual harassment, assault and rape within the UK, go to the Rape Disaster charity web site. Within the US, go to RAINN.