‘That ’70s Show’ Star Danny Masterson Found Guilty of Rape, Could Face Up to Life in Prison

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LOS ANGELES ((BBN)) – Noted actor Danny Masterson, famous for his role in the television series “That ’70s Show,” was apprehended in a Los Angeles courtroom on Wednesday. Following his conviction on two counts of rape, he could be facing a life sentence with a minimum of 30 years. The Church of Scientology had a significant role in his second trial, leading to this verdict.

Upon the announcement of the verdict, Masterson’s spouse, actor and model Bijou Phillips, was visibly shaken, weeping as her husband was taken into custody. Throughout both trials, Masterson’s family and friends were present, remaining stoic.

After two weeks of deliberation spread across seven days, the jury—comprising seven women and five men—reached the verdict. However, they were unable to come to a conclusion on the third charge of rape involving a former girlfriend of Masterson. The vote was 8-4 in favor of a guilty verdict for this charge.

At age 47, Masterson will be held without bail until his sentencing, the date of which is yet to be determined. His conviction has prompted mixed emotions from the victims, with one expressing relief and satisfaction over Masterson’s impending accountability.

The deadlock in the jury during the first trial resulted in a mistrial in December. Prosecutors then pursued a second trial, alleging that Masterson drugged and raped three women in his Hollywood Hills home from 2001 to 2003. They argued that his high-profile role in the Church of Scientology, to which all three victims belonged, helped him avoid repercussions for many years.

Masterson chose not to testify and his defense called no witnesses, arguing that the encounters were consensual and attempting to undermine the credibility of the women’s accounts by highlighting discrepancies over time.

The Church of Scientology had a more pronounced role in the second trial. Judge Charlaine F. Olmedo permitted testimony regarding church policy from a former church official who is now an outspoken critic.

Emotions ran high in the courtroom as current and former Scientologists testified, claiming intimidation by certain members present in the room. Leah Remini, a former member who has become a vocal critic of the church, attended the trial and offered support to the accusers during closing arguments.

Two of the accusers have filed a civil lawsuit alleging harassment from the Church of Scientology, though the Church has denied these claims.

The women testified that when they reported Masterson to church officials, they were discredited, put through ethics programs, and warned against reporting a high-ranking member to law enforcement.

The third woman, a former girlfriend of Masterson whose testimony resulted in a deadlocked count, claimed she awoke to him sexually assaulting her. The charges against Masterson date back to when he was at the peak of his fame, featuring in the Fox series “That ’70s Show.”

Following a LAPD investigation in December 2017, Masterson was written out of the Netflix comedy “The Ranch,” where he had been reunited with his “That ’70s Show” co-star, Ashton Kutcher.

Who is Danny Masterson?Danny Masterson is a noted actor, best known for his role in the television series “That ’70s Show.”What charges has Danny Masterson been convicted of?Masterson has been convicted on two counts of rape and could face a life sentence with a minimum of 30 years.What role did the Church of Scientology play in Masterson’s trials?The Church of Scientology played a significant role in Masterson’s second trial. Masterson was a high-profile member of the church, and all three victims were members as well.Why was the verdict significant?The verdict was significant because it showed that high-profile individuals could be held accountable for their actions, and it brought attention to the alleged role of the Church of Scientology in protecting Masterson.What are the potential consequences for Danny Masterson following his conviction?Following his conviction, Masterson could be facing a life sentence with a minimum of 30 years. He will be held without bail until his sentencing.What is the reaction of the victims to the verdict?