Scientology prevented Danny Masterson's alleged victims from going to the cops, say prosecutors

The actor of this 1970s show was accused of several rapes.


After his first trial ended with a trial in November 2022, the actor Danny Masterson is again judged on the allegations of rape presented by three women, all that he denied. Women each claim that the This 70s show The stars drugged and raped them between the years 2001 and 2003. They did not make their accusations until years later, and the prosecutors said that this was, in part, because of the Church of Scientology . Masterson is a scientologist and the three accusers are former members. Read the rest to find out how the prosecutors argued that the controversial religion has intimidated and reduces the silence of the accusers of Masterson and what his defense lawyers said in response.

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Masterson was accused of three rape leaders.

Danny Masterson at the premiere of
Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock

The survey on claims against Masterson began in 2017 and He was accused of three rape leaders in 2020, as indicated by the Los Angeles Times . His first trial took place in 2022 and ended with a trial in November when the jury could not make verdict. This new trial began in April.

Masterson pleaded not guilty of the accusations, denied any reprehensible act and did not testify for his defense. When the allegations were initially made public, the 47 -year -old actor was dismissed from his Netflix series Ranch . It was not included in the This 70s show series This 90s show , which was also broadcast on Netflix.

The accusation indicates that Masterson drugged the alleged victims.

Danny Masterson at the 2017 CMT Music Awards
Mike Coppola / Getty images for CMT

THE Three victims presumed at each complaint that they became groggy and had gaps in their memories after receiving drinks by Masterson, as reported by the Associated Press.

"The accused drugs his victims to take control," said a district prosecutor Ariel Anson said in court, according to the AP. "He does this to remove the ability of his victims to consent. You don't want to have sex? You have no choice. The defendant makes this choice for these victims. And he does it again and again. ""

Meanwhile, Masterson's lawyer, Philip Cohen , Would have concentrated on what he says to be inconsistencies in the stories of the alleged victims. "What she considers that small inconsistencies are at the heart of trying to determine:" Does someone, reliable, credible, credible for a criminal conviction? "" Said Cohen in reference to Anson. In addition, Cohen stressed that there is no medico-legal evidence that Masterson druged women.

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The accusation indicates that Scientology has tried to silence women.

Scientology building in Los Angeles photographed in 2018
Tishomir / Shutterstock

Cohen and Anson also discussed the role that Scientology could have played. Anson said women did not come forward earlier due to their involvement in religion.

"Like all the predators, the accused carefully sought his prey," said Anson during the closing of the arguments on Tuesday, May 16, according to the Los Angeles Times . "Most of its victims are members of the Church of Scientology, and that makes sense. The Church says to its victims:" Rape is not rape. You cause this. And above all, you cannot go to the police. ""

THE Times The reports that women have all claimed that SCIETOLOGIE officials told them that they had not raped or prevented from reporting their claims to the police.

Cohen declared in response to the emphasis on the accusation on the alleged influence of the group: "Why did we hear so much about Scientology? Would there be so many other problems with the case of the government?"

According to the AP, the Church of Scientology denied having a policy that discourages members to report the police.

Masterson faces over 40 years in prison.

Danny Masterson at the premiere of
Jaguar PS / Shutterstock

The jury should start the deliberations on Wednesday, May 17. According to the deadline, if Masterson is found guilty of the three accusations, he faces more than 40 years in prison .

In addition to this criminal trial, Masterson is appointed defendant, as well as the Church of Scientology, in a civil affair presented by four accusers in 2019, which is currently interrupted, as indicated by the deadline. In this complaint, women - which are anonymous - affirm that they were harassed, intimidated and hunted After presenting complaints against Masterson. AE0FCC31AE342FD3A1346EBB1F342FCB

"It is beyond ridicule. I will not fight my ex-girlfriend in the media as if she bailed me to do more than two years," Masterson said in a press release People Via his lawyer, referring to one of the accusers. "I'm going to beat her in court - and I look forward to the opportunity because the public will finally be able to learn the truth and see how I was closed by this woman. And once her trial is thrown, I intend to continue her and the others who jumped on the train for the damage they have caused me and my family. ""

A dispute lawyer from the Church of Scientology said People , "According to all that we have read in the press, this baseless trial will not go anywhere because the affirmations are ridiculous and simulated. It is a blow of dishonest and hallucinatory advertising." They added this former scientologist and vocal criticism Leah remini "Take advantage of these people like pawns in his money scam." As People Notes, the claims against Masterson were presented in remini documents Scientology and the consequences .

If you have suffered sexual assault or abuse and need crisis support, you can call The hot line of sexual assault rainn at 1-800-656-4673 or visit Online.renn.org .


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