That 70s Show actor Danny Masterson’s second trial begins with a new jury. The actor appeared for a trial last year which ended with a hung jury. For the re-trial prosecutors are emphasizing that they will provide all the necessary information to prove Danny Masterson drugged women to rape. They are also looking into the connection of Scientology as Danny Masterson is a lifelong member and two victims are former members of the Church of Scientology.
According to Variety, Los Angeles deputy district attorney Reinhold Mueller shared case details in his opening statement on Monday. He said that four women will testify against Danny Masterson during the re-trial. They will describe various symptoms including lightheadedness, loss of vision, motor skills, and strength, and more. All of which occurred after accepting an alcoholic drink from the defendant.
‘That 70s Show’ actor Danny Masterson faces three charges of rape from the first trial
Danny Masterson faces three charges of rape from the first trial associated with three women. The victims are identified as Jennifer B., Christina B., and N. Trout, they allege suffering from rape in the 2000s. The re-trial will introduce the case of the fourth accuser, Kathy J who will take the stand as a witness to Masterson’s behavior.
The LA DA is prosecuting Danny Masterson a 2nd time over allegations he secretly drugged his girlfriend and two other women and raped them. There is ZERO evidence since the alleged incident happened 15 years ago. I have no reason to think he's innocent other than the Constitution…
— @amuse (@amuse) April 25, 2023
The prosecutor, Reinhold Mueller announced that he will introduce expert witnesses who will provide information regarding the effects of drugs and alcohol. He told the jury that they will get to know about the drug-facilitated sexual assault and date-rape drugs from LAPD’s Toxicology unit officer.
Opening statements have concluded in #DannyMasterson retrial. The big difference in prosecution’s strategy appears to be their claim that Masterson drugged women. This was strongly suggested in the first trial, but never outright said. https://t.co/NdqV4PTBjT
— Elizabeth Wagmeister (@EWagmeister) April 24, 2023
In the first trial, prosecutors suggested Masterson drugged the rape victims. However, they didn’t claim that the actor added the drugs to the victim’s drinks. Masterson’s defense attorney, Phillip Cohen noted that he faces rape charges and not drugging charges.
Cohen also shared that there is no evidence to support the drugging charges. “There’s no toxicology report, urine sample, or DNA report.”
The defense further highlighted that victims do not have consistent testimonies. He also claims that they continued their friendship and sexual relations with Danny Masterson after the alleged assault.
“There are no witnesses who saw the sexual assault, other than the new witness,” Cohen shares with the jury. “There are no recordings nor any video evidence.”
The prosecution claims the involvement of the Church of Scientology during Danny Masterson’s re-trial
According to Variety, the prosecution claims the involvement of the Church of Scientology is significant to the case. He suggests that Scientology played an important role in why the victims didn’t file the case earlier.
As per the prosecution, Scientology forbids women from reporting rape to authorities. He shared with the jury that women who report sexual assault are announced as ‘suppressive persons.’
“Church of Scientology handles things internally. You don’t go to the outside world,” Deputy D.A. Mueller said to the jury during opening arguments.
Jane Doe #3 in the Danny Masterson retrial testified that Scientology had her demonstrate her alleged rape with "pebbles and chess pieces."
Jane Doe #3 was the witness the jury found most believable in the prior trial (jury split 7 not guilty and 5 guilty)
— ThatUmbrellaGuy (@ThatUmbrella) April 25, 2023
He further shared that victims could face consequences for reporting another member of the Church. Defendant Masterson is a lifelong member of the Church. Meanwhile, two of the accusers are former members.
Additionally, the prosecution shared their plans of inviting Claire Headley as their witness. Headley is a former member of the Church of Scientology.
Mueller shared that Headly who is a former member and strong critic of Scientology will testify in front of the jury. Headly will share and discuss the common practices of the Church of Scientology.
Defence lawyer, Phillip Cohen stresses Scientology is not a defendant
Following the prosecution’s arguments of the Church of Scientology’s involvement and significance in the case, Cohen defended that the jury can’t be biased towards any religion.
Defence also requested to remove Leah Remini from attending the re-trial but it was denied. Remini is a former member of the Church of Scientology and an outspoken critic of Scientology. She previously won an Emmy for her A&E series Scientology and the Aftermath.
I am attending opening arguments in the rape trial of celebrity Scientologist Danny Masterson today.
The women who Danny raped deserve justice for what they’ve been put through, not only by Danny but by Scientology which has tried to destroy them for reporting their rapes.
— Leah Remini (@LeahRemini) April 24, 2023
Leah Remini tweeted about attending That 70s Show‘s actor Danny Masterson’s trial on Monday. “The three women who Masterson raped deserve justice for what they’ve been put through. Not only by Masterson but by Church of Scientology which has tried to destroy them for reporting their sexual assaults,” she shared in the tweet.
1. Today I attended the opening arguments in the rape trial of celebrity Scientologist Danny Masterson.
I attended to show my support for the women who were not only brutally raped by Danny but then subjected to years of harassment by Scientology.
— Leah Remini (@LeahRemini) April 25, 2023
According to Variety, Danny Masterson attended the hearing on Monday along with his wife, actor-model Bijou Phillips. They were accompanied by many of their family members including his brothers actors Christopher Masterson and Jordan Masterson.
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