A mistrial has been declared in the high-profile sexual assault case against actor Danny Masterson, known for his role in “That ’70s Show.” The actor has been accused of raping three women between 2001 and 2003, each of whom was a member of the Church of Scientology, of which Masterson is also a member. The women alleged that they were hesitant to file charges due to the church’s strict protocols against public involvement with member issues.
During the initial trial, Masterson’s lawyer focused on revealing inconsistencies in the stories told by the three accusers while on the stand, claiming that they changed their stories and spoke with each other prior to speaking with the police. Despite this, only two jurors had voted for conviction on the first count, four for the second count, and five for the third count. As such, the jury was forced to begin discussions again, leading to a mistrial.
The actor has pleaded not guilty to the charges, and a new trial date has been set for April 17th. In the run-up to the retrial, pre-trial proceedings have been taking place, including jury selection. A five-man panel, alongside four male and four female alternates, is set to return to court on Monday for opening statements.
The church of Scientology and its alleged influence on the case were a prominent theme during the initial trial, with all three accusers being former members of the church. During the retrial, prospective jurors may be asked about their views on the church and the #MeToo movement, which have become key issues in past cases.
In conclusion, while the initial trial ended in a mistrial, the second trial remains ongoing. Danny Masterson will face the charges of forcibly raping three women in 2001-2003 as well as the influence of the Church of Scientology once again. The case has been ongoing since 2017, with protests and debates surrounding the timeframe, the treatment of the women and the power of influential institutions.
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