Danny Masterson’s Sexual Assault Trial: Everything You Should Know
Danny Masterson made headlines in 2017 when he was first accused of sexual assault. He has since pleaded not guilty after being charged in June 2020 for allegedly raping three women.
Four women claimed in March 2017 that the That 70’s show alum sexually abused her in the early 2000s. A fifth woman came forward in December 2017 and claimed that he “repeatedly raped” her during her relationship with the actor.
Three of the five alleged victims were Scientologists, a church Masterson has been a member of since childhood. The other two accusers, Chrissie Carnell Bixler And Bobette Rialespreviously dated the star.
The Men at work Alum has maintained his innocence since the allegations first surfaced, which is telling Us weekly in a statement in December 2017: “From day one, I have rejected the outrageous allegations against me. Law enforcement investigated these claims more than 15 years ago and found them to be without merit.”
Masterson continued, “I have never been charged with, let alone convicted of, a crime. In this country there is a presumption of innocence until proven guilty. However, in the current climate it seems as if you are found guilty the moment you are accused.”
While his criminal case remained under investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department, Masterson was sued in civil court by four of his accusers for sexual assault.
In August 2019, the women alleged that Masterson was working with the Church of Scientology and its leader David Miscavigestalked them, invaded their privacy and conspired to obstruct justice after the women took action against Masterson.
“Make no mistake, the Church of Scientology is under attack,” a source said exclusively Us by the time. “It’s a new era. Victims realize they have recourse and no longer have to be afraid.”
Less than a year later, Masterson was charged with three counts of rape in his criminal case. He was not charged in five cases because there was insufficient evidence and the statute of limitations in two of the women’s cases.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey announced the news after the arrest Yes man Actor in June 2020. Masterson faces up to 45 years in state prison if convicted.
Scroll down for more details about Masterson’s sexual assault case, his trial, and his ongoing civil lawsuit:
This is an ongoing article originally published in January 2022 and last updated in April 2023.
