Danny Masteron, the actor recognized for his roles on “That ’70s Present” and “The Ranch” was discovered responsible in a Los Angeles courtroom on Wednesday on two counts of rape. However the jury was deadlocked on a 3rd depend leading to a combined verdict.
This was the second rape trial for Masterson, who performed Steven Hyde on That 70s Present—the primary trial led to a impasse final November, leading to a mistrial.
Drugging drinks
Prosecutors accused Masterson of raping three ladies on separate events at his house within the Hollywood Hills between 2001 and 2003. Two of his accusers are members of the Church of Scientology, which Masterson additionally belongs to. In response to court docket paperwork, the Church discourages ladies from reporting rapes to the police — a declare that the Church vehemently denies.
The AP reported that Deputy District Lawyer Reinhold Mueller informed the courtroom that Masterson slipped medicine into the drinks of his girlfriend and two ladies he knew by the Church of Scientology.
“The proof will present that they had been drugged,” Mueller stated.
Each ladies described harrowing experiences of turning into weak and woozy after which waking up at Masterson’s house, the place he threatened one with a gun and referred to as one other “white trash” whereas repeatedly spitting on her.
The trial lasted two weeks, and it took the jury every week to succeed in a verdict. It’s seen as a victory for the #MeToo motion, which has been working to lift consciousness of sexual assault and harassment.
Masterson is scheduled to be sentenced on January 24, 2023, and faces as much as 30 years in jail.