Danny Masterson, a well-known actor in the Hollywood industry, has been found guilty in a rape case. Masterson was accused of raping three women at his Hollywood Hills home. The case was heard in a Los Angeles court on Wednesday and the jury found the actor guilty of raping two of the three women.
Actor will be punished for 30 years
All three women, former members of the Church of Scientology, accused actor Danny Masterson of raping them between 2001 and 2003 at his Hollywood Hills home. The prosecutor said that the actor had taken advantage of his being a prominent Scientologist. Now he can be sentenced to 30 years in prison. After the hearing in the court, the actor was taken out handcuffed together.
There were 12 members in the jury that handed down the verdict in Danny Masterson’s case. It included 7 women and 5 men. After a week’s deliberation, he gave a verdict against the actor. The matter came to an end at 8 versus 4 votes. However, the jury is yet to take a decision on the third woman’s allegation. In such a situation, the next hearing of the case will now be held on August 4.
The victim gave a statement
After the hearing, the police took Danny Masterson into custody. His wife and actress Bijou Phillips broke down in tears seeing him in handcuffs. At the same time, his close and friends were shocked. One of the victim women has given her reaction on the decision of the jury. The woman said, ‘I am feeling different emotions. I feel relieved, exhausted, powerful and sad all at once knowing that my abuser, Danny Masterson, will face the consequences of his misdeeds.
The prosecutor accused actor Danny Masterson of raping women after adulterating their drinks. At the same time, the actor’s lawyer told the court that everything happened between the actor and the women as per everyone’s wish. The lawyer also said that there have been changes in the statements of women over time.
Danny Masterson got recognition from his famous TV show ‘That 70s Show’. Apart from this, he was also seen in TV shows named ‘Men at Work’ and ‘The Ranch’. In the year 2011, Danny married actress and model Bijou Phillips. Both have a daughter.