Recently, American actor Danny Masterson best known by the fans for playing the role of Steven Hyde in That ’70s Show was convicted of rape in the retrial. On Wednesday, he was found guilty of 2 rape charges.
The Men at Work actor was found guilty of raping 2 women at his Los Angeles home in the early 2000s. Continue reading further to gather more information about the whole case.
Danny Masterson convicted on two counts of rape
On May 31, 2023, Wednesday, Danny was found guilty of rape in the retrial. The jury which comprised of 7 women and 5 men convicted the Hollywood actor on two counts of forcible rape.
The jury couldn’t reach a verdict on another assault charge pressed against him. One of the accusers of Masterson is his ex-girlfriend Chrissie Carnell-Bixler. When we talk about the verdict of the court, it was eight to four in favor of the conviction.
Danny who was taken into custody on Wednesday faces a potential sentence of 30 years in jail. Soon after, the clerk read the guilty verdicts in the trial, there was an audible gasp by Danny’s family members who were seated in the court.
When was Danny Masterson accused of rape?
For those of you who are unaware, let us share with you, Danny was accused of raping three women at his Hollywood Hills home between 2001 and 2003. He was convicted of raping 2 women in the year 2003 but the jury couldn’t reach a final verdict regarding a November 2001 accusation from his former girlfriend.
After the verdict came out, Masterson was handcuffed and taken into custody. According to Variety, a defense request was made to keep him free until sentencing but it was denied by the judge Charlaine Olmedo.
When the verdict was read, Danny’s wife Bijou Phillips, was spotted crying in the front row of the audience. A hearing for the case was scheduled for August 4. One of the victims who went by the name of Jane Doe. 2 in the court shared her relief that Masterson was convicted.
In a statement issued, she said, “I am experiencing a complex array of emotions – relief, exhaustion, strength, sadness – knowing that my abuser, Danny Masterson, will face accountability for his criminal behavior.”
She went on to say, “I am disappointed that he was not convicted on all counts, but take great solace in the fact that he, the Church of Scientology, and others, will have to fully account for their abhorrent actions in civil court.”
Danny’s ex-girlfriend known in court as Jae Doe.3 mentioned in a statement that she was “devastated that he has dodged criminal accountability for his heinous conduct against me.”
She also stated that she was determined to seek justice in civil court, where she said all 3 women will “shine a light on how Scientology and other conspirators enabled and sought to cover up Masterson’s monstrous behavior.”
Los Angeles D.A. George Gascón offered a token of thanks to the jury for their service and praised the women for coming forward.
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