NEW YORK: A jury in Los Angeles has found United States actor Danny Masterson guilty on two out of three counts of rape.
“That ’70s Show” star was led out in handcuffs from a Los Angeles courtroom Wednesday and could get 30 years imprisonment after a jury found him guilty on two of three counts of rape at his second trial, in which the Church of Scientology played a central role.
Masterson’s wife, model, actor Bijou Phillips, gasped when the court decision was read, and wept as he was taken into custody while a group of friends and family who sat stone-faced behind him throughout both trials.
The jury of seven women and five men reached the verdict after deliberating for seven days spread over two weeks. They could not reach a verdict on the third count, that alleged Masterson raped a longtime girlfriend. They had voted 8-4 in favour of conviction. The US actor, 47, will be held without bail until he is sentenced. No sentencing date was set.
One of the victims, who was raped in 2003, said in a statement quoted by the Associated Press: “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,”
“I’m experiencing the complex array of emotions – relief, strength, exhaustion, sadness – knowing that my abuser, Danny Masterson, would face accountability for his criminal behaviour.”
According to the BBC, prosecutors argued that Masterson relied on his status as a prominent Scientologist to avoid accountability. After a week of deliberations, the jury of seven females and five men couldn’t reach a verdict on a third count, ending up deadlocked at 8-4.
Though the actor wasn’t charged with drugging his victims, the jury heard testimony that the women had been dosed before he raped them.
