Current:Home > reviewsThat ’70s Show Alum Danny Masterson Found Guilty of Rape -Visionary Wealth Guides
That ’70s Show Alum Danny Masterson Found Guilty of Rape
View
Date:2025-04-17 14:55:02
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! (8556)
Related
- Most popular books of the week: See what topped USA TODAY's bestselling books list
- The Latest | World leaders urge Israel not to retaliate for the Iranian drone and missile attack
- Europe's new Suzuki Swift hatchback is ludicrously efficient
- These states have the highest property taxes. Where does yours fit in? See map.
- Skins Game to make return to Thanksgiving week with a modern look
- NBA playoffs: Who made it? Bracket, seeds, matchups, play-in tournament schedule, TV
- Suspect in custody after shots fired from Marina del Rey rooftop prompt alert in Los Angeles area
- US judge tosses out lawsuits against Libyan commander accused of war crimes
- Rylee Arnold Shares a Long
- Gene Herrick, AP photographer who covered the Korean war and civil rights, dies at 97
Ranking
- Megan Fox's ex Brian Austin Green tells Machine Gun Kelly to 'grow up'
- LANE Wealth Club: Defending Integrity Amidst Unfounded Attacks
- Tyler, the Creator fires up Coachella 2024 in playful set with Donald Glover, A$AP Rocky
- Taylor Swift and Teresa Giudice Unite at Coachella for an Epic Photo Right Out of Your Wildest Dreams
- Military service academies see drop in reported sexual assaults after alarming surge
- Opioid settlement cash being used for existing programs and salaries, sparking complaints
- Bald eagle eats 2 of its hatchlings in West Virginia out of 'confusion', officials say
- Caitlin Clark college cards jump in price as star moves from Iowa to the WNBA
Recommendation
Rolling Loud 2024: Lineup, how to stream the world's largest hip hop music festival
'Horrific': 7-year-old killed, several injured after shooting in Chicago, police say
Jax Taylor and Brittany Cartwright Reunite at Their Son Cruz's 3rd Birthday Party Amid Separation
'The Sympathizer' review: Even Robert Downey Jr. can't make the HBO show make sense
Could your smelly farts help science?
Taylor Swift's No. 1 songs ranked, including 'Cruel Summer,' 'All Too Well,' 'Anti-Hero'
2024 WNBA mock draft: Caitlin Clark, Cameron Brink at top of draft boards
Detectives solve 1968 killing of World War II veteran who became milkman, Florida sheriff says