LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Danny Masterson, 47, widely known for his role in 'That '70s Show', was found guilty on two out of three counts of rape in his second trial held in a Los Angeles courtroom on Wednesday, May 31. Following seven days of deliberation spanning two weeks, the jury reached a verdict with a vote of 8-4 in favor of the conviction.
However, they were unable to reach a unanimous verdict on the third count, which pertained to the actor's alleged sexual assault of a longtime girlfriend. Consequently, questions arise about whether Masterson's conviction would have come earlier if his first trial had not resulted in a mistrial, or if the 47-year-old would not have been found guilty. Let us explore the reasons behind the declaration of a mistrial in Masterson's initial rape trial in December.
Jurors were 'hopelessly deadlocked'
Masterson faced charges of three rapes, alleged to have occurred between 2001 and 2003 in his Hollywood Hills home. The trial, which lasted for a month, featured the Church of Scientology as well. Masterson pleaded not guilty, with his defense asserting that the acts were consensual. All three women involved were members of the church during the relevant period, and Masterson remains a member as well.
Los Angeles judge Charlaine F Olmedo, after receiving information on November 18 that the jurors could not come to a consensus regarding the rape allegations, ordered them to take the Thanksgiving week off while continuing their deliberations. Inquiring about potential ways to help the jurors reach a unanimous decision, Judge Olmedo concluded, “I find the jurors hopelessly deadlocked,” as per The Guardian.
The jury foreman disclosed that only two jurors voted for conviction on the first count, while four voted for conviction on the second count and five voted to convict on the third count. The deliberations had to be restarted after two jurors were dismissed due to contracting COVID-19. Despite two additional days of deliberation, the jury still could not reach a verdict. This outcome was a significant setback for the prosecutors and the three women who sought justice.
Contentions over consent
The women involved, referred to as Jane Does and former members of the Church of Scientology, claimed they faced intimidation, harassment, and stalking after Masterson was charged. These allegations have been reiterated in an ongoing lawsuit against the church. Masterson's attorney, Philip Cohen, emphasized that the church was mentioned extensively during the trial, arguing that it became an excuse for the prosecution's inability to build a convincing case against Masterson, who is a prominent Scientologist.
Deputy District Attorney Reinhold Mueller countered Cohen's argument, asserting that the church attempted to silence the women, leading to a two-decade delay in bringing the case to trial. During the trial, Masterson did not testify, and his defense presented no witnesses. Instead, they focused on highlighting inconsistencies in the accounts of the three accusers. The defense claimed that the changes in their stories over time and the communication between them before reporting the incidents to the police undermined their credibility.
Cohen informed the jurors that they could acquit Masterson if they believed that he genuinely and reasonably believed the women had consented to sexual intercourse. Mueller countered by reminding jurors that the described acts would not be considered consensual, as one woman repeatedly expressed her refusal, resisted physically, and tried to escape from Masterson. All three women alleged that Masterson drugged them before violently raping them.
Following the latest verdict that found him guilty on two out of three rape charges, Masterson was escorted out of the courtroom in handcuffs. The 47-year-old now faces the possibility of a maximum prison sentence of 30 years. Currently, he is being held without bail until his sentencing, the date of which is yet to be determined. Masterson and his legal team have been instructed to appear in court again on Friday, August 4 for a scheduled hearing.
