Former 'That 70s Present' star Danny Masterson was charged with alleged rapes of three girls, and he is about to start his trial that can contain his connection to Scientology. Study extra about Danny right here.
UPDATE 10/10/2022: The choose in Danny Masterson‘s rape trial talked about Scientology on the pre-trial listening to. “This isn't going to change into a trial on Scientology,” Choose Charlaine Olmedo mentioned, in keeping with Selection. Nonetheless, the choose has reportedly indicated that she’ll permit testimonies about Scientology, since Danny is a scientologist, and the three girls he’s been accused of raping had been members of the church. On the pre-trial listening to, Danny’s lawyer Sharon Appelbaum reportedly argued that the three accusers “shaped a sisterhood” to take down Danny and Scientology. She additionally accused ex-Scientologist Leah Remini of being concerned.
ORIGINAL STORY: Danny Masterson, 46, is ready to face trial on a number of rape expenses. Jury choice begins Tuesday, October 11 and Danny is going through three expenses of forcible rape and as much as 45 years to life in jail. A California choose decided on Might 21, 2021 that there was sufficient proof given in a preliminary listening to for a trial to go forward. The Los Angeles District Lawyer’s workplace first introduced in June 2020 that the actor had been charged with three counts of rape “by power or worry” in reference to incidents that allegedly occurred in 2001 and 2003. The costs stem from three separate alleged assaults involving completely different girls. The actor has steadfastly denied the claims, and mentioned that he appeared ahead to clearing his identify. Danny faces 45 years to life in state jail if convicted on all expenses. He was arrested by the LAPD at 11:30am on June 17, 2020. His bail was set $3.3 million, and an area L.A. information radio station reported that only a few hours later, he had already posted bond.
The rape allegations resurfaced in Dec. 2017 because the #MeToo motion was gaining momentum. A 23-year-old girl accused him of raping her in 2001, and a 28-year-old girl additionally made the identical declare a few 2003 incident. One other 23-year-old girl additionally alleged that Danny raped her within the autumn of 2003. The Los Angeles Deputy D.A. confirmed in an announcement to HollywoodLife.com that the entire alleged assaults occurred at Danny’s Hollywood Hills residence. We’ve bought 5 issues to find out about Danny beneath.
1. Danny gained fame on ‘That 70s Present’.
He performed Steven Hyde for all eight seasons of the sitcom, which ran from 1998-2006. He turned shut private mates together with his male co-stars, Ashton Kutcher and Wilmer Valderrama.
2. Danny and Ashton labored collectively on Netflix’s ‘The Ranch’.
The buddies joined forces starting in 2016 on the comedy collection, the place Ashton performed a semi-pro soccer participant who returned to assist run his household’s Colorado ranch. Danny performed the character of Rooster Bennett. He was let go from The Ranch in Dec. 2017 because of the rape allegations towards him. It was later defined that Rooster died in a freak bike accident, as Danny’s character was written off the collection.
3. Danny is a Scientologist.
He has practiced the faith primarily based on late founder and science fiction author L. Ron Hubbard‘s books since he was a teen. In a 2015 interview with Paper journal, Danny defined, “In Scientology, there’s no perception system or anybody who’s worshipped or whatnot; it’s all kind of like school of the thoughts. And so I grew up not having to go and pray to anybody. I grew up simply kind of like, ‘Oh, for those who’re thirsty, drink water.’”
4. Danny is married and has a daughter.
He started courting mannequin and fellow Scientologist Bijou Phillips in 2005. She is the daughter of the late The Mamas and the Papas musician/songwriter John Phillips and actress Geneviève Waïte. The pair married in 20011 and welcomed their first and solely baby, daughter Fiona on Feb. 14, 2014. On June 12, 2020, Bijou shared an Instagram household picture exhibiting Fiona in a cap and robe after graduating from kindergarten. The 40-year-old deleted her IG account on June 17, following the D.A.’s expenses towards Danny.
5. Danny has strongly denied the rape accusations towards him.
Upon being let go from The Ranch in Dec. 2017, Danny launched an announcement that learn: “From day one, I've denied the outrageous allegations towards me. Regulation enforcement investigated these claims greater than 15 years in the past and decided them to be with out advantage. I've by no means been charged with a criminal offense, not to mention convicted of 1. On this nation, you're presumed harmless till confirmed responsible. Nonetheless, within the present local weather, it appears as if you're presumed responsible the second you're accused. I perceive and look ahead to clearing my identify as soon as and for all.”
On June 17, 2020, after the D.A.’s expenses had been introduced, Danny’s lawyer Thomas Mesereau launched an announcement to HollywoodLife.com that learn: “Mr. Masterson is harmless, and we’re assured that he might be exonerated when all of the proof lastly involves gentle and witnesses have the chance to testify.
It continued, “Clearly, Mr. Masterson and his spouse are in full shock contemplating that these almost 20-year outdated allegations are out of the blue leading to expenses being filed, however they and their household are comforted understanding that in the end the reality will come out. The individuals who know Mr. Masterson know his character and know the allegations to be false.”