The rape charges brought against Danny Masterson are being discussed in court for the second time.
Danny Masterson, accused of rape, returned to court on Monday. PDO
The 70’s Show – to the actor known for the hit series to Danny Masterson the rape charges against have been taken up for trial again. Masterson is accused of raping three women. There has been news about the court proceedings, among other things AP News.
Assistant District Attorney Reinhold Mueller said in his opening statement at the retrial on Monday that Masterson had drugged the women and raped them at his home in Hollywood. The alleged rapes took place between 2001 and 2003. One of the suspected victims was the actor’s longtime girlfriend, two of the women Masterson knew through mutual friends in Scientology circles.
Mueller said the evidence showed the women were drugged. Masterson’s representatives deny the existence of such evidence.
Already another trial
Masterson’s rape charges were discussed in the Los Angeles court already last fall. However, the trial was unsuccessful, as the jury failed to reach a consensus despite several attempts. The case is now back for retrial.
Masterson has denied the charges and said that the events proceeded by mutual consent. If he is convicted of the crimes, he could face up to 45 years in prison.
Masterson has denied all charges. Also in the picture is the actor’s lawyer Philip Cohen. PDO
Lack of evidence
In the first trial, the prosecution was not allowed to directly say that Masterson had drugged his victim. At the time, the women described that they were groggy, confused and at times also uninformed at the time of the events.
In the retrial, however, the judge allows direct accusations of drugging. Officially, Masterson has only been charged with rape.
Masterson’s attorney Philip Cohen said in his opening statement on Monday that the actor is not accused of drugging in the case, and there is no evidence of such a thing that is stronger than hearsay.
According to Cohen, the suspected victims had not mentioned their possible drugging until years after the investigation began. Cohen also said that the three women had discussed the costs of the events with each other on several occasions, despite being forbidden to do so, as it might jeopardize the handling of the case.
Both sides are aware that there is no forensic evidence of possible drugging, as the police investigation into the case did not start until 15 years after the events.
Mueller said at Monday’s hearing that the women did not immediately go to the authorities because representatives of the Church of Scientology had told them not to and said it was not rape. Masterson remains a respected member of the Church of Scientology, the women have since left the church.
Danny Masterson played Steven Hyde on the popular 70’s Show comedy series from 1998 to 2006. At the beginning of the year, a Netflix spin-off 90’s Show appeared from the series, which features numerous original actors. Masterson will not star in the new series.