That ‘70s Show star Danny Masterson found guilty in rape trial

Former That ‘70s Show star Danny Masterson has been found guilty on two of three counts of rape in a Los Angeles court today.

That 70s Show actor Danny Masterson.

Former That ‘70s Show star Danny Masterson has been found guilty on two of three counts of rape in a Los Angeles court today.

Masterson is reportedly facing over 30 years on all counts, however, the jury was deadlocked on the third, making it unclear what will come next.

The actor plead not guilty in his first trial in October, which ended in a mistrial a month later after the jury couldn’t reach a decision.

Two of the 12 jurors voted to convict Masterson on one rape charge, four voted to convict him on a second charge, and five voted to convict him on the third charge.

Masterson (left) in court. Picture: Lucy Nicholson – Pool/Getty

Following the mistrial declaration, Masterson was spotted walking out of court with his wife, Bijou Phillips, as he sported a big smile on his face.

His lawyer Philip Cohen said at the time that the case was “about nothing other than the credibility of the three accusers and that credibility could only be determined by comparing, contrasting and focusing on the ever-evolving statements given by the women.”

Masterson’s legal team worked to get the case dismissed but were unsuccessful as the retail began last month.

Shawn Holley, known from the infamous OJ Simpson trial was brought on by Masterson’s team.

Phillips reportedly cried in court as Masterson was taken away in handcuffs after the guilty verdict.

“I am experiencing a complex array of emotions – relief, exhaustion, strength, sadness – knowing that my abuser, Danny Masterson, will face accountability for his criminal behaviour,” said one of the women who Masterson was convicted of raping in a statement.

Masterson arrives at court with his wife, Bijou Phillips. Picture: BACKGRID

The woman, whose count had the jury deadlocked said: “While I’m encouraged that Danny Masterson will face some criminal punishment, I am devastated that he has dodged criminal accountability for his heinous conduct against me.”

Prosecutors told the jury that Masterson drugged the women’s drinks so he could rape them and used his affiliation with the Church of Scientology – where all three women were also members at the time – to avoid repercussions for decades.

One of the accusers was Masterson’s then-girlfriend of five years, who said she woke up to find him raping her and had to pull on his hair to stop him.

“The defendant drugs his victims to gain control,” said Deputy District Attorney Ariel Anson. “He does this to take away his victims’ ability to consent.”

Masterson (top row, middle) with the rest of the That 70s Show cast circa 1999. Picture: Fox

Masterson didn’t testify and his lawyers didn’t call for any witnesses, however, the defence argued that his interactions with the women were consensual.

The defence tried to discredit the women by showing changes and inconsistencies in their stories over time.

“If you decide that a witness deliberately lied about something in this case,” Cohen told the jury in his closing argument. “You should consider not believing anything that witness says.”

Current and former Scientologists filled the courtroom as the religion played a significant role in both of Masterson’s trials.

The church was founded in 1953 by L. Ron Hubbard and has many members that work in Hollywood.

Masterson in court. Picture: Lucy Nicholson – Pool/Getty

The actor circa 2017. Picture: Anna Webber/Getty

Leah Remini, a former member and one of the biggest critics of the church sat in on the trial and was seen comforting one of the accusers during closing arguments.

The prosecution argued that the church was one of the reasons why it took the women so long to go to police with what happened to them.

The women testified that they reported Masterson to church officials and were told that they were not raped, put through ethics programs, and were warned to not go to the police.

“They were raped, they were punished for it, and they were retaliated against,” said Deputy District Attorney Reinhold Mueller.

“Scientology told them there’s no justice for them. You have the opportunity to show them there is justice.”

The church denied these allegations.

Masterson and wife Bijou Phillips, who has been by his side through the trial. Picture: Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times via Getty

Masterson, who was known for playing Steven Hyde on the beloved sitcom, was charged in 2020 with victims alleging that the incidents happened between 2001 to 2003 – which would have been when Masterson appeared on the program.

That ‘70s Show also saw the careers of Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis, and Topher Grace.

Kutcher and Masterson reunited on the Netflix comedy The Ranch, playing brothers Colt and Rooster Bennett in 2016.

However, Masterson’s character was written off the show after an LAPD investigation was revealed in December 2017.

The actor has routinely denied any rape allegations against him, claiming that the incidents were consensual.

This story originally appeared on The Sun and is republished here with permission.