Current:Home > ContactThat ’70s Show Alum Danny Masterson Found Guilty of Rape -Edge Finance Strategies
That ’70s Show Alum Danny Masterson Found Guilty of Rape
View
Date:2025-04-18 00:55:32
Danny Masterson's rape retrial has reached an end.
The That '70s Show alum was found guilty of two counts of rape by a Los Angeles jury on May 31, according to NBC News. The jury could not reach a verdict on the third count.
Masterson was arrested and charged on three charges of forcible rape in 2020. Prosecutors alleged that Masterson sexually assaulted three women—who they said the actor met through the Church of Scientology—at his Hollywood Hills home in separate incidents between 2001 and 2003.
Masterson, who previously pled not guilty to the charges, now faces up to 30 years behind bars, according to NBC News. He was taken away from the courtroom in handcuffs as his wife Bijou Phillips cried, per the outlet.
The ruling comes six months after a mistrial was declared in Masterson's case, in which the jury was unable to reach unanimous decisions for the three rape charges. His new trial began in April, with his three accusers—identified as Jane Doe #1, Jane Doe #2 and Jane Doe #3—giving emotional testimonies, according to the Associated Press.
Masterson did not testify during the retrial, according to NBC News.
In the wake of Masterson's guilty verdict, Jane Doe #2 said in a statement outside of courtroom that she was feeling a "complex array of emotions," including "relief, exhaustion, strength, sadness," per NBC News.
She continued, "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 fully account for their abhorrent actions in civil court."
The women had previously accused the Church of Scientology of pressuring them into not speaking to police about their allegations. The church denied their claims in a May 31 statement obtained by E! News June 1, noting that the organization "has no policy prohibiting or discouraging members from reporting criminal conduct of anyone—Scientologists or not—to law enforcement."
The statement continued, "There is not a scintilla of evidence supporting the scandalous allegations that the Church harassed the accusers."
Jane Doe #3, whose rape charge the jury did not reach a verdict on, said she felt "devastated" that Masterson "dodged criminal accountability for his heinous conduct against me."
Masterson is being held without bail and is due back in court on Aug. 4 for a hearing, according to the Associated Press. No sentencing date has been set.
E! News reached out to Masterson's lawyers for comment and has not heard back.
For free, confidential help, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or visit rainn.org.veryGood! (98644)
Related
- Federal hiring is about to get the Trump treatment
- Horoscopes Today, November 13, 2024
- The Latin Grammys are almost here for a 25th anniversary celebration
- Ryan Reynolds Clarifies Taylor Swift’s Role as Godmother to His Kids With Blake Lively
- Military service academies see drop in reported sexual assaults after alarming surge
- NBPA reaches Kyle Singler’s family after cryptic Instagram video draws concern
- Kendall Jenner Is Back to Being a Brunette After Ditching Blonde Hair
- Black women notch historic Senate wins in an election year defined by potential firsts
- Former longtime South Carolina congressman John Spratt dies at 82
- Mandy Moore Captures the Holiday Vibe With These No Brainer Gifts & Stocking Stuffer Must-Haves
Ranking
- Could your smelly farts help science?
- Get well, Pop. The Spurs are in great hands until your return
- Republican Scott Baugh concedes to Democrat Dave Min in critical California House race
- A wayward sea turtle wound up in the Netherlands. A rescue brought it thousands of miles back home
- Retirement planning: 3 crucial moves everyone should make before 2025
- Drone footage captures scope of damage, destruction from deadly Louisville explosion
- Vegas Sphere reports revenue decline despite hosting UFC 306, Eagles residency
- DWTS’ Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten Have the Best Reaction to Fans Hoping for a Romance
Recommendation
Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15
Quincy Jones' Cause of Death Revealed
Georgia remains part of College Football Playoff bracket projection despite loss
Republican Rep. Juan Ciscomani wins reelection to Arizona US House seat
Bill Belichick's salary at North Carolina: School releases football coach's contract details
Insurance magnate pleads guilty as government describes $2B scheme
‘COP Fatigue’: Experts Warn That Size and Spectacle of Global Climate Summit Is Hindering Progress
College Football Fix podcast addresses curious CFP rankings and previews Week 12