Danny Masterson Rape Trial Ends In A Shocking Decision
That 70’s Show actor Danny Masterson made headlines when in 2020, he was arrested for nonconsensual sex with several victims between 2001 and 2003. Deadline reports that the trial for forcible rape saw a hung jury this week and has been declared a mistrial. In a letter read by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Charlaine Olmedo, the six-man, six-woman jury stated that each juror was adamant about their positions on all three counts.
Danny Masterson’s defense council has sought a mistrial since the beginning of testimony in October 2022. A retiral date of March 27 has been scheduled, and Masterson is free on bail of $3.3 million.
On January 10, 2023, a hearing for the next steps of the trial is scheduled. The legal team of Danny Masterson will likely file to have all charges dropped before the January date.
The jurors’ results were 10-2 for not guilty on Count one, 8-4 guilty on Count two, and Count three saw 7-5 for not guilty. This shows deep division on the counts, which resulted in a hung jury.
Jane Doe #2 and Jane Doe #3 released a statement to the public regarding the mistrial surrounding the accusations against Danny Masterson and the Church of Scientology. They thanked the jury for its service and stated their disappointment but were resolved to continue the fight.
There is also a fight in civil court, which has currently been paused, against Danny Masterson, the Church of Scientology, its leader David Miscavige, and others for stalking, harassment, and intimidation of the women who have brought the charges against Masterson.
Jane Doe #2 and Jane Doe #3 are ex-Scientologists and believe that the Church of Scientology needs to answer for the alleged accusations of covering up reports of abuse and the threatening of the victims. During the criminal trial, Judge Olmedo repeatedly reminded the court that Scientology was not on trial. But the prosecution continued to bring the church into the discussion.
The criminal trial of Danny Masterson went to the jury on November 15 and, within days, came back as deadlocked. The judge, feeling two and a half days wasn’t sufficient time to deliberate the case, sent them home for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Upon their return on November 28, the panel of jurors, minus two of the original members due to positive COVID results, subbed in two jurors and began the process again. This time two had half days seemed acceptable, and the hung jury was announced.
The allegations against Danny Masterson saw him fired from the Netflix series The Ranch in 2017. Although he has maintained his innocence, Masterson’s case is one that is taken seriously in light of any accusations against celebrities for the same behavior.
While Danny Masterson’s trial has been declared a mistrial, down the hall in the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center, closing statements have started to be read in the Harvey Weinstein case, where he has been accused of multiple sex crimes. Jurors could begin deliberations in this case as soon as the end of the week.
