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That ’70s Show star Danny Masterson has been found guilty of rape and is facing decades in prison. Masterson is well-known for his portrayal of Steven Hyde in all eight seasons of That ’70s Show, though he did not return for the recent sequel series, That ’90s Show, due to the rape allegations. Masterson was arrested in 2020 over alleged assaults that occurred between 2001 and 2003 in his Hollywood Hills home. Masterson ended up being charged with three counts of rape, but the trial resulted in a deadlocked jury and a mistrial was declared.
Now, months after Danny Masterson’s rape trial ended in a mistrial, the retrial has reached a verdict. Per Deadline, the actor has been found guilty on two of three counts of rape and is currently facing 30 years behind bars. Masterson sat expressionless as the verdict was read, though he appeared dazed as he was handcuffed and taken into custody. His wife, Bijou Phillips, could be heard crying in the courtroom and his brother-in-law and fellow actor, Billy Baldwin, also appeared to be in a state of shock as the verdict was read.
Why Danny Masterson Was Finally Found Guilty Of Rape
Unlike the first trial that ended in a deadlocked jury late last year, the retrial saw the LA County District Attorney’s office place an increased emphasis on Masterson’s ties to the Church of Scientology and how that had an impact on his misconduct in the case. The actor is a long-time Scientologist who allegedly spiked the drinks of his victims, who were all Scientologists themselves at the time. Throughout the retrial, the prosecutors repeatedly highlighted Scientology’s supposed policies and practices that prevent victims from reporting rape to the police.
Similar to the first trial, the jurors in the retrial were also unable to reach a unanimous verdict on all the sexual assault charges against the That ’70s Show star. After five votes, the jury remained “hopelessly deadlocked” on the third count which involves a former long-term girlfriend of Masterson. The major difference during the retrial is that Masterson was found guilty of the other two counts, which each carry 15 years in prison. The next step in the case is a motion hearing on August 4, though a date for the sentencing hearing has yet to be scheduled.
Source: Deadline
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