Scientology church looms over actor Danny Masterson rape case
2 years, 2 months ago

Scientology church looms over actor Danny Masterson rape case

LA Times  

Danny Masterson, at center in 2020, is charged with raping three women at his Hollywood Hills home between 2001 and 2003. Masterson’s lawyers wanted Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Charlaine Olmedo to bar any mention of Scientology throughout the trial, which is expected to begin Tuesday. One accuser testified that when she reported the rape to Scientology officials, she was told “not to use the ‘R-word.’” Another testified that a lawyer for Scientology came to her home and warned that she would be expelled from the church if she went to authorities about Masterson. California Scientology’s secrets spill into open in Danny Masterson rape case Women who have accused Danny Masterson of rape testified that Scientology officials tried to stop them from reporting the alleged attacks to police. it’s so interwoven that certain parts of the trial will necessarily have to involve Scientology,” said Brian Kent, who represents Masterson’s accusers in a civil lawsuit they brought against the church and Masterson.

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History of this topic

Judge ‘troubled’ by Danny Masterson’s attorneys tracking down jurors after rape trial
Trending News
1 month ago

Judge ‘troubled’ by Danny Masterson’s attorneys tracking down jurors after rape trial

LA Times  

Danny Masterson arrives for closing arguments in his second rape trial on May 16, 2023, in Los Angeles. In an order made public in September, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Charlaine Olmedo said she was “troubled” by the conduct of the attorneys, who on multiple occasions contacted jurors at their homes and businesses to interview them as part of …

Scientology tried to ‘derail’ star’s rape trial by harassing prosecutor, suit says; church calls claim ‘false’
8 months, 3 weeks ago

Scientology tried to ‘derail’ star’s rape trial by harassing prosecutor, suit says; church calls claim ‘false’

LA Times  

Nearly six months after actor Danny Masterson was convicted of sexually assaulting two fellow members of the Church of Scientology, lawyers for his victims filed a document that contained a stunning new allegation against the faith. LAPD detectives on the case were also “stalked,” Mueller said in the video, and had their “photographs taken while they were off-duty.” Mueller didn’t …

Danny Masterson's bail request DENIED as he is ruled a flight risk
10 months, 4 weeks ago

Danny Masterson's bail request DENIED as he is ruled a flight risk

Daily Mail  

Danny Masterson's request for bail while he appeals his sentence has been denied after a judge ruled he was a flight risk because he has 'no wife to go home to.' Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Charlaine Olmedo said Masterson will 'likely remain in custody for decades, and perhaps the rest of his life' if his sentence is upheld on …

EXCLUSIVE: Scientology slams harassment lawsuit filed by Danny Masterson's accusers as 'meritless' and 'false'
1 year, 1 month ago

EXCLUSIVE: Scientology slams harassment lawsuit filed by Danny Masterson's accusers as 'meritless' and 'false'

Daily Mail  

In its response, the church claimed some of the accusers had no 'independent corroborative evidence' or could prove they 'reasonably feared' for their safety The case was filed in 2019 by four victims – proven and alleged – who claimed they were harassed and intimidated after reporting Danny Masterson for rape In court filings obtained by DailyMail.com the Church of …

Leah Remini blasts Scientology following Danny Masterson rape sentencing
1 year, 3 months ago

Leah Remini blasts Scientology following Danny Masterson rape sentencing

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Remini, who is a former Scientologist and is in …

Danny Masterson: That ’70s Show star found guilty of two counts of rape in retrial ?
1 year, 3 months ago

Danny Masterson: That ’70s Show star found guilty of two counts of rape in retrial ?

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy That ’70s Show star Danny …

Danny Masterson blows wife Bijou Phillips a kiss before being led to at least 30 years in prison for raping two women
1 year, 3 months ago

Danny Masterson blows wife Bijou Phillips a kiss before being led to at least 30 years in prison for raping two women

Daily Mail  

Bijou Phillips was comforted in court as her husband Danny Masterson was jailed for 30 years for raping two women - with the perverted star seen blowing his spouse a kiss as he was escorted to the slammer. Convicted rapist Danny Masterson blows his wife Bijou Phillips a kiss in the court room as he is sentenced to 30 years …

EXCLUSIVE: Danny Masterson's wife Bijou Phillips 'is a shell of her former self' and feels like she's mourning 'a DEATH' as That '70s Show star faces 30 years to LIFE in prison for raping two women
1 year, 3 months ago

EXCLUSIVE: Danny Masterson's wife Bijou Phillips 'is a shell of her former self' and feels like she's mourning 'a DEATH' as That '70s Show star faces 30 years to LIFE in prison for raping two women

Daily Mail  

Danny Masterson's wife Bijou Phillips is trying to remain strong for the sake of her daughter, but is a shell of her former self as her husband learned his sentencing fate today, insiders have revealed to DailyMail.com. Earlier this year, the former socialite - whose Manhattan antics with the Hilton sisters made tabloid gold - broke down in tears as …

Attorneys in Danny Masterson rape case sanctioned for giving discovery to Scientology
1 year, 6 months ago

Attorneys in Danny Masterson rape case sanctioned for giving discovery to Scientology

LA Times  

Two of Danny Masterson’s former attorneys were hit with financial sanctions Wednesday, after a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge ruled they improperly shared information about the actor’s victims with the Church of Scientology, which has long been accused of harassing and stalking the women. Judge Charlaine Olmedo ruled that famed celebrity defense attorney Thomas Mesereau and his co-counsel, Sharon …

What led to Danny Masterson’s rape retrial and what happens next
1 year, 6 months ago

What led to Danny Masterson’s rape retrial and what happens next

Associated Press  

LOS ANGELES — A Los Angeles jury on Wednesday convicted actor Danny Masterson of two counts of rape in a retrial that focused on allegations the “That ‘70s Show’ star raped three women between 2001 and 2003. Defense attorney Philip Cohen made clear to jurors that ”there is no drugging charge.” A BIGGER ROLE FOR SCIENTOLOGY The Church of Scientology …

Inside Danny Masterson's life as a Scientologist
1 year, 6 months ago

Inside Danny Masterson's life as a Scientologist

Daily Mail  

Danny Masterson was led out in handcuffs from a Los Angeles courtroom on Wednesday as a jury found him guilty on two of three counts of rape at his second trial. Danny Masterson arrives at Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center in Los Angeles,, May 31, 2023 The Church of Scientology has also played a major role in Danny Masterson's …

What led to Danny Masterson’s rape retrial and what happens next
1 year, 6 months ago

What led to Danny Masterson’s rape retrial and what happens next

Hindustan Times  

A Los Angeles jury on Wednesday convicted actor Danny Masterson of two counts of rape in a retrial that focused on allegations the That ‘70s Show star raped three women between 2001 and 2003. DIRECT DISCUSSION OF DRUGGING A judge in the second trial allowed the prosecution to say directly that Masterson drugged all three women before raping them, in …

What led to Danny Masterson’s rape retrial and what happens next
1 year, 6 months ago

What led to Danny Masterson’s rape retrial and what happens next

Associated Press  

LOS ANGELES — A Los Angeles jury on Wednesday convicted actor Danny Masterson of two counts of rape in a retrial that focused on allegations the “That ‘70s Show’ star raped three women between 2001 and 2003. Defense attorney Philip Cohen made clear to jurors that ”there is no drugging charge.” A BIGGER ROLE FOR SCIENTOLOGY The Church of Scientology …

Danny Masterson used drugging, Scientology to get away with rape, prosecutor says
1 year, 7 months ago

Danny Masterson used drugging, Scientology to get away with rape, prosecutor says

Associated Press  

LOS ANGELES — Danny Masterson drugged women’s drinks so he could rape them, then relied on his prominence in the Church of Scientology to avoid consequences for years, a prosecutor told jurors Tuesday in closing arguments at the actor’s trial. “What she views as little inconsistencies are at the heart of trying to determine, ‘Is somebody, reliable, credible, believable enough …

Scientology looms large as jurors to decide Danny Masterson’s fate in second rape trial
1 year, 7 months ago

Scientology looms large as jurors to decide Danny Masterson’s fate in second rape trial

LA Times  

Danny Masterson leaves court alongside his wife, Bijou Phillips, after a hearing in his criminal trial on rape charges in Los Angeles. Each of the women who have accused Danny Masterson of raping them in the early 2000s said they feared two things: the once-beloved sitcom actor’s violent outbursts and the life-altering consequences they might face for opposing the powerful …

Actor Danny Masterson's attorney challenges his former longtime girlfriend during cross-examination over rape accusation
1 year, 7 months ago

Actor Danny Masterson's attorney challenges his former longtime girlfriend during cross-examination over rape accusation

Firstpost  

An attorney for Danny Masterson challenged his former longtime girlfriend during cross-examination Wednesday on why her trial testimony alleging the actor raped her in 2001 included several new details that were missing from the accounts she gave authorities at the beginning of the investigation. “Is your testimony today that you can now remember things in 2023 that you didn’t remember …

Danny Masterson lawyer challenges new details in rape story
1 year, 7 months ago

Danny Masterson lawyer challenges new details in rape story

Associated Press  

LOS ANGELES — An attorney for Danny Masterson challenged his former longtime girlfriend during cross-examination Wednesday on why her trial testimony alleging the actor raped her in 2001 included several new details that were missing from the accounts she gave authorities at the beginning of the investigation. “Is your testimony today that you can now remember things in 2023 that …

Danny Masterson’s ex says rape came years into relationship
1 year, 7 months ago

Danny Masterson’s ex says rape came years into relationship

Associated Press  

LOS ANGELES — A former girlfriend of actor Danny Masterson testified Tuesday that he had grown increasingly abusive and controlling during their five-year relationship when he raped her in their bed in November of 2001. “I told him ‘no, I don’t want to have sex.’ He didn’t listen to me,” said the woman, the first to take the stand in …

Prosecutors to retry actor Danny Masterson on rape counts
1 year, 11 months ago

Prosecutors to retry actor Danny Masterson on rape counts

Associated Press  

LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles prosecutors will retry “That ’70s Show” actor Danny Masterson on three rape counts after a hopelessly deadlocked jury led to a mistrial in his first trial in November. The LA County District Attorney’s Office declared prosecutors’ plans in court filings and at a Tuesday hearing, where Superior Court Judge Charlaine F. Olmedo rejected a defense …

Mistrial in Danny Masterson rape trial after jury deadlocks
2 years ago

Mistrial in Danny Masterson rape trial after jury deadlocks

LA Times  

Actor Danny Masterson, pictured in September 2020 in Los Angeles Superior Court for his arraignment on the three rape charges. Danny Masterson’s rape trial ended Wednesday in a mistrial after jurors said they were unable to reach a decision on the actor’s innocence or guilt. Ariel Anson would not confirm the decision to retry Masterson, saying, “It’s a conversation we …

Jury says it’s deadlocked in Danny Masterson rape trial
2 years, 1 month ago

Jury says it’s deadlocked in Danny Masterson rape trial

Associated Press  

LOS ANGELES — Jurors at the rape trial of “That ’70s Show” star Danny Masterson said Friday that they are deadlocked, but a judge told them they have not deliberated long enough for her to declare a mistrial. The jury told Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Charlaine Olmedo that after nearly three days of deliberations, they could not reach a …

Defense: Masterson rape case plagued by contradictions
2 years, 1 month ago

Defense: Masterson rape case plagued by contradictions

Associated Press  

LOS ANGELES — Rape allegations against actor Danny Masterson were so riddled with contradictions and inconsistencies that prosecutors in their case implicated the Church of Scientology to help patch holes in its case, a defense lawyer said Tuesday in closing arguments. “We heard Scientology so often that it really became the go-to excuse.” All three accusers and Masterson were members …

Church of Scientology is on opposite ends of two celebrity rape cases in L.A., New York
2 years, 1 month ago

Church of Scientology is on opposite ends of two celebrity rape cases in L.A., New York

LA Times  

Screenwriter and director Paul Haggis, left, arrives at court for a sexual assault civil lawsuit on Nov. 2 in New York. The trials of “That ’70s Show” actor Danny Masterson on one coast and “Crash” director Paul Haggis on the other have thrust Scientology — not a party to either case — into the spotlight, leaving the church embroiled in …

Masterson’s accusers feared being kicked out of Scientology. His stepfather lived it
2 years, 1 month ago

Masterson’s accusers feared being kicked out of Scientology. His stepfather lived it

LA Times  

Onetime professional Australian rugby player Joe Reaiche, a member of the Church of Scientology until 2005, was actor Danny Masterson’s stepfather. That’s the evil of disconnection.” The “it,” Reaiche said, was the decision by church officials to declare him a “suppressive person” — a designation that expelled him from the religion and required other Scientologists to cut ties with him. …

Woman testifies Danny Masterson raped, choked her in 2003
2 years, 2 months ago

Woman testifies Danny Masterson raped, choked her in 2003

Associated Press  

LOS ANGELES — A woman broke down on the witness stand Wednesday while giving graphic testimony about a 2003 night when she said she emerged from unconsciousness to find actor Danny Masterson raping her. She conceded that she omitted elements of the story at the time, “to protect people.” At a preliminary hearing last year, a previous defense lawyer for …

Woman testifies Danny Masterson raped, choked her in 2003
2 years, 2 months ago

Woman testifies Danny Masterson raped, choked her in 2003

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A woman broke down on …

Rape allegations aired against ‘70s Show’ actor Masterson
2 years, 2 months ago

Rape allegations aired against ‘70s Show’ actor Masterson

Associated Press  

LOS ANGELES — A prosecutor on Tuesday described rape allegations by three women against “That ’70s Show” actor Danny Masterson from two decades ago that contained some of the same disturbing elements. Two women became woozy or passed out after a couple drinks and were tossed in his hot tub, Deputy District Attorney Reinhold Mueller said in his opening statement …

That '70s Show actor Danny Masterson on trial on 3 rape charges
2 years, 2 months ago

That '70s Show actor Danny Masterson on trial on 3 rape charges

Firstpost  

Danny Masterson is charged with raping the women between 2001 and 2003 in his home, which functioned as a social hub when he was at the height of his fame. Danny Masterson, former star of the long-running sitcom “That ’70s Show,” is about to face three women in court who say he raped them two decades ago at a trial …

Scientology’s secrets spill into open in Danny Masterson rape case
3 years, 6 months ago

Scientology’s secrets spill into open in Danny Masterson rape case

LA Times  

Actor Danny Masterson, left, stands with his attorney, Thomas Mesereau, as he is arraigned on rape charges in Los Angeles in September 2020. Interpretation of Church doctrine by the courts is prohibited and the ruling is evidence of why.” The case against Masterson, who starred in the 2000s sitcom “That ’70s Show,” is a relatively rare example of a Scientologist …

Danny Masterson's accuser testifies against actor, recounts details of sexual assault
3 years, 7 months ago

Danny Masterson's accuser testifies against actor, recounts details of sexual assault

Firstpost  

At Danny Masterson’s case trial, a woman revealed that the actor had allegedly assaulted her when she was not in a fully conscious state A woman testified Wednesday that she was five years into a relationship with actor Danny Masterson when she awoke to find he was raping her as she slept and took drastic measures to get him to …

Danny Masterson: Woman tells court she woke up to find That 70s Show actor raping her
3 years, 7 months ago

Danny Masterson: Woman tells court she woke up to find That 70s Show actor raping her

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “The first thing I recall is grabbing his hair …

Woman testifies she woke to find actor Masterson raping her
3 years, 7 months ago

Woman testifies she woke to find actor Masterson raping her

Associated Press  

LOS ANGELES — In hours of often tearful testimony, a woman told a judge Tuesday that she was slipping in and out of consciousness on a night 18 years ago when she said she found actor Danny Masterson raping her. “I couldn’t walk or stand, so he put me on the tile on the ground,” said Jen B., who began …

Judge to hear evidence on actor Danny Masterson rape charges
3 years, 7 months ago

Judge to hear evidence on actor Danny Masterson rape charges

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Prosecutors on Tuesday are set …

That 70’s Show actor Danny Masterson charged with raping three women
4 years, 6 months ago

That 70’s Show actor Danny Masterson charged with raping three women

Hindustan Times  

That 70s Show actor Danny Masterson has been charged with raping three women in separate incidents in 2001 and 2003, the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office said on Wednesday. The district attorney’s office said in a statement that it had declined to file sexual assault charges against Masterson in two other cases because of insufficient evidence and because of the …

`That 70s Show’ actor Danny Masterson charged in 3 rapes
4 years, 6 months ago

`That 70s Show’ actor Danny Masterson charged in 3 rapes

Associated Press  

LOS ANGELES — “That ’70s Show” actor Danny Masterson was charged with the rapes of three women in the early 2000s, Los Angeles prosecutors said Wednesday, the culmination of a three-year investigation that resulted in a rare arrest of a famous Hollywood figure in the #MeToo era. “We are thankful that the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office is finally …

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