Current:Home > NewsThat ’70s Show Alum Danny Masterson Found Guilty of Rape -ChatGPT
That ’70s Show Alum Danny Masterson Found Guilty of Rape
View
Date:2025-04-16 00:01:20
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! (315)
Related
- Bodycam footage shows high
- Small plane crash kills 2 people in California near Nevada line, police say
- King Charles attends Easter service, Princess Kate absent after their cancer diagnoses
- Men's March Madness highlights: Elite Eight scores as UConn, Alabama advance to Final Four
- Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning
- The history of No. 11 seeds in the Final Four after NC State's continues March Madness run
- Salvage crews to begin removing first piece of collapsed Baltimore bridge
- Who's hosting 'SNL' tonight? Cast, musical guest, where to watch March 30 episode
- See you latte: Starbucks plans to cut 30% of its menu
- AT&T informs users of data breach and resets millions of passcodes
Ranking
- Person accused of accosting Rep. Nancy Mace at Capitol pleads not guilty to assault charge
- Here and meow: Why being a cat lady is now cool (Just ask Taylor)
- Fulton County DA Fani Willis plans to take a lead role in trying Trump case
- Crews at Baltimore bridge collapse continue meticulous work of removing twisted steel and concrete
- What to know about Tuesday’s US House primaries to replace Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Stamp Collection
- Police fatally shoot Florida man in Miami suburb
- Police searching for Chiefs' Rashee Rice after alleged hit-and-run accident, per report
Recommendation
Global Warming Set the Stage for Los Angeles Fires
13-year-old girl detained after shooting sends Minnesota boy to the hospital
How will Inter Miami fare without Messi vs. NYCFC? The latest on Messi, live updates
Police searching for Chiefs' Rashee Rice after alleged hit-and-run accident, per report
Rolling Loud 2024: Lineup, how to stream the world's largest hip hop music festival
AT&T informs users of data breach and resets millions of passcodes
She bought a $100 tail and turned her wonder into a magical mermaid career
Police searching for Chiefs' Rashee Rice after alleged hit-and-run accident, per report