Danny Masterson Rape Retrial Begins with Claims of Drugging and Sodomy by Prosecution

Actor Danny Masterson, former star of the TV show That 70’s Show, has started his second rape trial in Los Angeles. Prosecutors are claiming that he raped women after drugging them.

Last year, the trial ended in a hung jury, but this time around, the prosecution is taking a more pointed approach.

The prosecutor, Reinhold Mueller, stated that they will prove that Masterson drugged women before he raped them.

He also added that the women will describe symptoms such as “lightheadedness, loss of vision, loss of motor skills, loss of strength, inability to control their body, vaginal pain, anal pain, all occurring after the defendant had given them an alcoholic beverage, and all occurring within a matter of minutes.”

Charges and Defense

Masterson is facing three charges of forcible rape, which is associated with three women – Jennifer B., Christina B., and N. Trout.

They all alleged that they were raped by Masterson in the early 2000s. Masterson has maintained his innocence.

During the opening statements, Masterson’s attorney, Phillip Cohen, noted that his client faces rape charges and not charges of drugging women.

Cohen also told the jurors that there is no “tangible” evidence to corroborate the women’s testimony, saying that there is “no toxicology report, there’s no urine, there’s no DNA.”

Masterson’s defense stressed to the jury that there are inconsistencies in the women’s stories, telling the jury that they will hear differing details regarding the women’s memories of the alleged events.

He also said that three Jane Does all spoke with each other before going to the LAPD, suggesting that they joined forces to create a larger case against Masterson.

Cohen told jurors that many of the women continued their friendships and sexual relationships with Masterson after the alleged assaults.

He added that the case would be largely based on he-said-she-said with no evidence to prove any claims.

Expert Witnesses and Church of Scientology’s Role

The prosecution will introduce new expert witnesses, some of whom will speak to the jury about the effects of drugs and alcohol on memory.

They want to establish a pattern of Masterson’s behavior. The prosecution has also claimed that the Church of Scientology played a role in the women’s reluctance to report their alleged rapes.

The three Jane Does are all former members of the Church of Scientology. According to the prosecution, the Church of Scientology forbids women from going to the police to report sexual assault.

If they do, they could be declared a “suppressive person” by the Church and “lose essentially your whole life,” which has “devastating” consequences.

New Witness and Previous Jury

The trial will introduce a new woman, identified as Kathy J. She will testify as a “prior bad acts witness” to establish a pattern of Masterson’s behavior, though her accusations are not tied to any charges, and the jury will not deliberate on her testimony.

In the first trial, the jury failed to reach a unanimous verdict, stating they were “hopelessly deadlocked.” However, those jurors leaned toward acquittal with votes of 10-2, 8-4, and 7-5 on the three counts.

This time around, Judge Charlaine Olmedo was firm in telling attorneys on Monday that this is a wholly new trial. “It’s a different trial,” Judge Olmedo said. “It’s a new ballgame.”

If Danny Masterson is convicted on all three charges, he faces 45 years in prison. Masterson is a lifelong Scientologist, and his rape accusers are all former members of the Church of Scientology.