Key takeaways:
- Danny Masterson has been found guilty of two counts of rape in a Los Angeles retrial.
- The jury was unable to reach a verdict on the third count, which alleged Masterson raped a longtime girlfriend.
- The Church of Scientology played a central role in the trial, as prosecutors argued that Scientology officials protected Masterson for years after he drugged and sexually assaulted the women.
A jury has found actor Danny Masterson guilty of two counts of rape in a Los Angeles retrial. The 47-year-old actor, best known for his role in the sitcom “That ’70s Show,” faces up to 30 years in prison.
The jury of seven women and five men spent more than six days deliberating before coming to a verdict on two of the three counts of rape against Masterson. The jury was unable to reach a verdict on the third count, which alleged Masterson raped a longtime girlfriend.
The original trial ended on Nov. 30, 2022, with the jury deadlocked on all counts after extended deliberations, which had to be restarted when two jurors got COVID. The Church of Scientology played a central role in the trial, as prosecutors argued that Scientology officials protected Masterson for years after he drugged and sexually assaulted the women.
Masterson’s wife, actor and model Bijou Phillips, was present in court and wept as he was led away. The actor will be sentenced at a later date.
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