A Los Angeles jury found Danny Masterson guilty of two out of three counts of rape on Wednesday, in a retrial that focused on the Church of Scientology’s alleged efforts to silence his accusers.
Masterson, 45, was accused of raping three women at his Hollywood Hills home between 2001 and 2003. He was acquitted of one count of rape and the jury deadlocked on a third count.
The verdict is a major victory for the women who accused Masterson, and for the #MeToo movement. It is also a setback for the Church of Scientology, which has been accused of helping Masterson cover up his alleged crimes.
Masterson is facing a maximum sentence of 45 years in prison. He is scheduled to be sentenced on September 27.
The Case Against Masterson
The allegations against Masterson first surfaced in 2014, when four women accused him of rape. Masterson denied the allegations, and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office declined to file charges.
In 2017, the Los Angeles Police Department reopened the investigation into Masterson’s alleged crimes. In 2018, Masterson was charged with three counts of rape. He pleaded not guilty.
Masterson’s trial began in January 2020. The jury deadlocked on all three counts, and the judge declared a mistrial.
The Retrial
The retrial began in February 2023. The prosecution’s case was largely the same as it was in the first trial. The defense argued that the women’s allegations were false and that they had made them up in order to extort money from Masterson.
The jury deliberated for seven days before returning a verdict. Masterson was found guilty of two counts of rape, but he was acquitted of one count and the jury deadlocked on a third count.
The Church of Scientology
The Church of Scientology has been accused of helping Masterson cover up his alleged crimes. The church has denied these allegations, but it has been accused of using its influence to intimidate and silence Masterson’s accusers.
In 2017, the church was sued by two of Masterson’s accusers. The lawsuit alleged that the church had created a “culture of silence” around sexual assault and harassment. The church has denied these allegations.
The Verdict
The verdict in Masterson’s case is a major victory for the women who accused him, and for the #MeToo movement. It is also a setback for the Church of Scientology.
Masterson is facing a maximum sentence of 45 years in prison. He is scheduled to be sentenced on September 27.