Posted on 10/18/2022 7:21:49 AM PDT by Red Badger
Danny Masterson, former star of the long-running sitcom “That ‘70s Show,” is about to face three women in court who say he raped them two decades ago at a trial whose key figures are all current or former members of the Church of Scientology.
Opening statements could begin as early as Tuesday in the Los Angeles trial of the 46-year-old Masterson, and while a judge has expressed her determination not to have the church become the center of the proceedings, it will inevitably loom large.
Masterson is charged with raping the women between 2001 and 2003 in his home, which functioned as a social hub when he was at the height of his fame. Masterson has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
One of the women had been Masterson’s longtime girlfriend. Another was a longtime friend, and the third a newer acquaintance.
All three were members of the Church of Scientology, as Masterson still is. All three accusers have since left, and they said the church’s insistence that it deal internally with problems between members made them hesitant at first to go to authorities.
“This is not going to become a trial on Scientology,” Superior Court Judge Charlaine F. Olmedo asserted at a pre-trial hearing. But she said she would allow its discussion as a reason why the women delayed reporting to authorities.
Testimony at a preliminary hearing last year to determine whether Masterson should go to trial last year included frequent use of Scientology jargon that lawyers had to ask the witnesses to explain. And the trial’s witness list is full of members and former members of the church, which has a strong presence in Los Angeles and has counted many famous figures among its members.
(Excerpt) Read more at wdbj7.com ...
Maybe this happened. Who knows?
He was great on The Ranch
Doesn’t look good
I think this is actual rape not grab ass
Better than orange Kool-Aid....but that’s about it.
Do they even still make that horrid stuff?..............
I fail to see how this can possibly be proven
And I’m female.
My bad, while I don’t care about cults, I didn’t mean to imply that Scientology isn’t relevant. I mean I am neutral. I have no skin in the game for the actor or Scientology. When it comes to a court of law I don’t think any evidence is not relevant as long as it is legitimate evidence according to law, even if is about a Church or cult. With that said, when it comes to crimes like rape, there needs to be tangible DNA evidence or witnesses to find someone guilty. It’s an ugly fact on the witness part because I doubt many rapes have witnesses. That’s one of things that makes rape such a terrible crime.
All of the younger characters on That Seventies Show were sleazy. I wouldn't be surprised at what the actors were capable of.
I know
20 years old
But this is #metoo
I agree. It’s very difficult. Even DNA evidence doesn’t prove it was non-consensual. Women need to be very careful about who they go near. It’s not fair, but it’s a fact.
That tie is wider than his head..
Life isn’t fair. I have two daughters. I think they were taught correctly. They live life unafraid, because they are careful.
His half brother Jordan Masterson played Ryan on Last Man Standing.
A lot of states changed their laws so there are no statute of limitations on rape. The politicians voted to placate the leftist man-hating crowd and also create even more upheaval within society.
Masterson has been charged of the crime of Category 1 Rape. It’s the most severe category as it has no statute of limitations and specifies a minimum prison term of 15 years. Cat 1 is assigned to suspects who have been accused of multiple rapes of either one victim or several. I doubt CA politics had anything to do with the charges.
Add’l Note: Scientology has very much to do with the case. Keep in mind that Scientologists are obligated to follow the words of L. Ron Hubbard to the letter. Their views and practices on “justice” aren’t just suggestions, they are scripture and considered absolute law.
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