Limbo bar suit3/30/2023 ![]() The church itself insists that members are encouraged to report crimes to the authorities. They said that church officials warned them not to use the word rape, that turning in a fellow Scientologist to law enforcement was considered a 'high crime', and if they disobeyed that doctrine, they could be declared a 'suppressive person', cast out by the church and left alone, cut off from family and friends. Judge Charlaine Olmedo - who is presiding over the trial -decided to give the jurors a 10-day Thanksgiving breakĪll three women who accused Masterson of rape testified that the reason they took so long to report him to the police was their fear of retribution from the church. 'We've heard Scientology over and over again – it's become the go-to excuse,' he saidĬohen even tried – unsuccessfully – to get the start of the trial delayed until after the recent LA Mayoral election because, he said, anti-Scientology TV ads made by rival candidates Karen Bass and Rick Caruso could prejudice the jury against his client, who is a prominent member of the church. Masterson's lawyer, Philip Cohen, said the church was mentioned more than 700 times. Scientology became the elephant in the room during the highly-publicized trial. 'The government wants to win this case so badly that they have ignored the blatant, obvious and overwhelming contradictions and fabrications that each Jane Doe has given you,' he told the court. ![]() In his summary, Cohen essentially accused the women of lying. Cohen attempted to get the charges tossed before they went to the jury but was unsuccessful. Masterson did not take the stand and called no witnesses. His accusers – whom is identifying only as Jane Does 1 through 3 – are all ex-Scientologists and are also suing him and the Church of Scientology in civil court, claiming that they've been harassed and intimidated since reporting him to police. Masterson is pictured looking relaxed in court as he sits cross-legged and leaning back on his swivel chair Masterson's accusers – whom is identifying only as Jane Does 1 through 3 – are all former Scientologists and are also suing him and the Church of Scientology in civil court, claiming that they've been harassed and intimidated since reporting him to police. His wife, actress Bijou Phillips, 42, has been with him in the courtroom throughout the five-week trial. He is charged with raping three women at his Hollywood Hills home between 20. Masterson, 46 – who starred in the TV sitcom That '70s Show – has been free on $3.3 million bail since his arrest in June 2020. But Judge Olmedo said that wasn't possible since five jurors have family commitments over the Thanksgiving week. Jurors need a unanimous decision to find Masterson guilty.Īs for Cohen's comments about jurors being tempted to talk about the case with loved ones or be subject to publicity about the trial, the judge said, 'This case has been going on for over a month….The court has admonished the jury to avoid any discussion of the case or reading, TV or radio.'Ĭohen asked for jurors to be brought back this Monday, November 21. Judge Olmedo – saying the jury was deadlocked – overruled Cohen's objection and declared that 'there has been insufficient time for the jury' to reach a verdict. 'I think they need to spend more time,' he told the court. Masterson's attorney, Philip Cohen, objected to the judge's instruction, saying that the jury's deadlock 'comes down to do you believe the women or do you not?Īnd he asked Judge Olmedo to 'bring the jury out and ask them…if there is anything else they could hear.'ĭeputy District Attorney Reinhold Mueller told the judge that he agreed with her decision to order the jury to keep deliberating. Judge Olmedo, responded by sending the jury a written note telling them that they have been deliberating for 'insufficient time' and ordering them back on November 28, the first date all the jurors will be available because of next week's Thanksgiving holiday. The judge told the court on Friday that despite deliberating since 9am Wednesday morning, the jury had informed her that they have been 'unable to reach a unanimous decision on any of the counts.' ![]() It saw the actor leaving Los Angeles County Court alongside his wife, Bijou Phillips, with a smirk on his face with court now not in session for another ten days.Īt one point, Masterson could be seen in the court cafeteria looking extremely pleased with himself.ĭespite objections from the actor's defense team, Judge Charlaine Olmedo ordered the seven-woman, five-man jury back to court Monday, November 28, following the Thanksgiving break to continue deliberating. Jurors in Danny Masterson's trial were still deadlocked late on Friday on all three rape charges against him.
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