Actor, North Shore native Danny Masterson found guilty on 2 rape charges

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Actor, North Shore native Danny Masterson found guilty on 2 rape charges
Actor and North Shore native Danny Masterson, found guilty on two counts of rape, is pictured in 2015. (Photo from Red Carpet Report on Mingle Media TV)

Actor and North Shore native Danny Masterson was found guilty of two rape charges in Los Angeles on Wednesday.

Masterson, who was raised in Garden City and East Williston, was also tried on a third rape charge but the jury could not reach a verdict.

The “That ‘70s Show” star will be held without bail until his sentencing, which could be up to 30 years to life in prison.

“We want to express our gratitude to the three women who came forward and bravely shared their experiences,” Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón said in a statement following Wednesday’s verdict. “Their courage and strength have been an inspiration to us all.”

The three charges against Masterson were first publicized in May 2021.

Three separate women accused Masterson of assaulting them in 2001 and 2003, according to court documents. A Los Angeles judge declared a mistrial in November after the jury was deadlocked.

Opening arguments began on Oct. 18 with deliberations beginning on Nov. 15. Masterson did not testify during the proceedings. The trial restarted in mid-May following the mistrial declaration.

The Church of Scientology, of which Masterson is a member, reportedly played a significant role in the case against the actor, whose credits include the sitcom “Men at Work” and the 2008 Jim Carrey comedy “Yes Man.”

All three women who accused Masterson are former Scientologists, according to the Associated Press.

One of the accusers, known only as Jen. B, said she was assaulted by Masterson as she went in and out of consciousness in 2003, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Jen. B detailed on the stand a party she attended in 2003 where she was offered a drink by Masterson.

She said she felt nauseous later in the night and was moved by Masterson to his bed after he made her vomit and take a shower, the Los Angeles Times reported. 

She testified that she passed out in his bed before waking up to Masterson raping her.   

Jane Doe #3, known as CB, said she was in a relationship with Masterson for six years, according to Deadline. 

“I was sleeping, I woke up and he was having sex with me and I didn’t want to. … I told him I didn’t want to have sex, and he wouldn’t stop,” Jane Doe #3, aka CB, said of the encounter at their Hollywood Hills home,” reported Deadline. 

The third woman in the trial, identified as N. Trout, said Masterson raped her in 2003 after he told her in a text message to come over to his Los Angeles home. She told the court that she made it clear that the two would not be having sex.

Masterson did not testify during the trial and his lawyers did not call any witnesses. 

His attorney, Philip Cohen, told jurors “If you decide that a witness deliberately lied about something in this case, you should consider not believing anything that witness says,”, according to the Associated Press.

Efforts to reach Masterson or a representative from the defense for comment were unavailing.

The actor is scheduled to next appear in court on Aug. 4, according to the Associated Press.

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