A prosecutor described rape allegations by three women Tuesday against “That ‘70s Show” actor Danny Masterson from two decades ago that contained some of the same disturbing elements.
Two women became woozy or passed out after a couple drinks and were tossed in his hot tub, Deputy District Attorney Reinhold Mueller said in his opening statement in Masterson’s trial. One of them said he dragged her to his bed where she regained consciousness to find him having sex with her. A third woman, an ex-girlfriend, said she woke up to find him on top of her.
Two of the alleged victims first went to the church to report what happened to them and were told it wasn’t rape and that reporting it to authorities or telling others about it would end with them being ostracized by their closest friends and even family members.Cohen said the case had nothing to do with the religion and he repeatedly objected when it was brought up.
One of the women had been Masterson’s longtime girlfriend. Another was best friends with his personal assistant, and the third, an actress, was a newer acquaintance.The friend of his assistant filed a police report because she was unhappy with the way the Scientology ethics board handled her complaint. No charges were brought at the time.
Masterson was one of the first Hollywood figures to be prosecuted in the #MeToo era. His is one of several high-profile sexual assault cases that have gone to trial around the fifth anniversary of the reporting of accusations against Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein, which transformed the #MeToo movement into an international reckoning.Weinstein’s second rape and sexual assault trial — he’s already been convicted in New York — is happening simultaneously, just down the hall from Masterson’s.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
'70s Show' actor Danny Masterson on trial on 3 rape chargesOpening statements are set to begin soon in the trial of “That ’70s Show” actor Danny Masterson, who is charged with raping three women about 20 years ago.
Read more »
‘70s Show’ actor Danny Masterson on trial on 3 rape chargesMasterson is a member of the Church of Scientology and all three women are former members, making it likely the church will loom large during the trial.
Read more »
‘That ’70s Show’ actor Danny Masterson on trial on 3 rape chargesDanny Masterson, former star of the long-running sitcom “That ‘70s Show,” is about to face three women in court who say he raped them two decades ago at a trial whose key figures are all current or former members of the Church of Scientology.
Read more »
Jury selection nears end in rape trial of 'That 70s Show' actor Danny MastersonDanny Masterson is charged with raping the women between 2001 and 2003 in his home, which functioned as a social hub when he was at the height of his fame. Masterson has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Read more »
Church of Scientology could loom large at 'That 70s Show' actor Danny Masterson's rape trial'That 70's Show' actor Danny Masterson will soon face three women in a California courtroom who have accused him of raping them about two decades ago.
Read more »
'That 70s Show' actor Danny Masterson on trial on 3 rape chargesDanny Masterson is charged with raping the women between 2001 and 2003 in his home, which functioned as a social hub when he was at the height of his fame. Masterson has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Read more »