Danny Masterson Charged with Three Counts of Rape "By Force or Fear" *GUILTY 2 of 3*

Danny Masterson Charged with Raping Three Women "By Force or Fear"

If convicted on all counts, the That '70s Show actor could get 45 years to life in prison.

www.vanityfair.com

Danny Masterson Charged with Three Counts of Rape "By Force or Fear"
If convicted on all counts, the That '70s Show actor could face 45 years to life in prison.
By Anthony Breznican
June 17, 2020


Actor Danny Masterson has long been accused of acts of sexual violence, and on Wednesday the That ’70s Show actor was finally arrested after being charged with the rapes of three women in separate incidents dating back to 2001 and 2003.

Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey's office charged the 44-year-old with three counts of "rape by force or fear." "If convicted as charged, the defendant faces a possible maximum sentence of 45 years to life in state prison," the district attorney's office said in a statement.

The complaint accuses him of raping a 23-year-old woman in 2001. He is also charged with committing two other assaults in 2003, one against a 28-year-old woman in April, and another against a 23-year-old woman between October and December of that year.



The case will be prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Reinhold Mueller of the Sex Crimes Division, who stated that all of the alleged rapes occurred at the actor's Hollywood Hills home.

Prosecutors noted that they declined to file sexual assault charges against Masterson in two other cases, "one for insufficient evidence and the other based upon the statute of limitations for the crime alleged."


Masterson has been held on $3.3 million bail. He is represented by defense attorney Thomas Mesereau, who previously represented Bill Cosby, Michael Jackson and Mike Tyson against sex crime charges. In a statement to the Associated Press, Mesereau insisted that Masterson is innocent.

“We’re confident that he will be exonerated when all the evidence finally comes to light and witnesses have the opportunity to testify," the attorney said. “Obviously, Mr. Masterson and his wife are in complete shock considering that these nearly 20-year old allegations are suddenly resulting in charges being filed, but they and their family are comforted knowing that ultimately the truth will come out,” Mesereau said. “The people who know Mr. Masterson know his character and know the allegations to be false.”

The criminal complaint doesn't name the victims, but the timeline of the accusations matches those of four women who accused Masterson of sexual assault in 2016 and 2017 as part of the #MeToo movement. Last year, they sued Masterson, along with the Church of Scientology, to which he belongs, alleging that the powerful and secretive organization stalked and intimidated them for coming forward with their police reports. Masterson and Scientology officials all denied wrongdoing.

Masterson responded to the suit with a statement: “This is beyond ridiculous. I’m not going to fight my ex-girlfriend in the media like she’s been baiting me to do for more than two years. I will beat her in court—and look forward to it because the public will finally be able [to] learn the truth and see how I’ve been railroaded by this woman. And once her lawsuit is thrown out, I intend to sue her and the others who jumped on the bandwagon for the damage they caused me and my family.”

In the lawsuit, the women each claim Masterson forced himself on them or took advantage of them when they were intoxicated and unable to consent.

Masterson is set to be arraigned on Sept. 18.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

https://www.wright.edu/sites/www.wright.edu/files/page/attachments/Was%20I%20Raped.pdf

Alcohol and Sexual Assault

pubs.niaaa.nih.gov

I was drinking when I was raped

www.rapecrisishelp.ie

https://ocrsm.umd.edu/files/Why-Is-Sexual-Assault-Under-Reported.pdf

Why more women don't report sexual assaults: A survivor speaks out

Survivors have been sharing their stories using the hashtag #WhyIDidntReport.

abcnews.go.com

Why Women Can Take Years to Come Forward With Sexual Assault Allegations (Published 2018)

Some common reasons for doubt, like a long delay before speaking out or a hazy recall of some details, are exactly what experts say they would expect to see after a sexual assault.

www.nytimes.com

Why women don't report sexual assault - PubMed

This study was designed to determine whether or not more women are reporting sexual assault, and whether or not previously noted theories about why women do not report continue to be valid. The study revealed that only 18% of the adult women's rapes and only 11% of the assaults of children were...

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Why many sexual assault survivors may not come forward for years

Why would someone who experienced sexual assault wait years or decades to come forward? Research shows the answer is complicated.

journalistsresource.org

Why we often don't believe women who report sexual assault

The response to sexual assault allegations made by writer E. Jean Carroll against President Trump is again raising questions about what women face when they take their accusations public. Judy Woodruff speaks with Emily Bazelon of The New York Times Magazine and Soraya Chemaly of the Women’s...

www.pbs.org

RAINN | The nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization

www.rainn.org

 

[GrandmaBear]

"In the lawsuit, the women each claim Masterson forced himself on them or took advantage of them when they were intoxicated and unable to consent."

This is where I have a problem with allegations like this. If a man forces himself on a woman, there isn't a great deal of nuance or ambiguity about it. A woman knows(or should know) right away whether she's been assaulted or not. But 15 years after the fact, you don't get to suddenly decide that you no longer feel you were able to consent at the time and call yourself a rape victim.

Not arguing but curious as to your thoughts with Catholic school boys or church members or boy scouts years later? Admittedly it is different on its face as they were children and not adults but how long should they have?

 

[Guess Who]

Not arguing but curious as to your thoughts with Catholic school boys or church members or boy scouts years later? Admittedly it is different on its face as they were children and not adults but how long should they have?

I know a guy that was a childhood victim of this very thing. He committed suicide 30 years later and it took that and a lawsuit for anything about it to be done. It does seem similar because people were actually questioning why he waited 30 years.

 

[GrandmaBear]

I know a guy that was a childhood victim of this very thing. He committed suicide 30 years later and it took that and a lawsuit for anything about it to be done. It does seem similar because people were actually questioning why he waited 30 years.

I can believe that and I can think of a few things that I could relate to that as well. When a child and it is someone in a position of power over them, it is by its very nature different. However, that in no way means I dismiss those from adults in later years when it was someone in extreme power either.

 

[Howell]

Not arguing but curious as to your thoughts with Catholic school boys or church members or boy scouts years later? Admittedly it is different on its face as they were children and not adults but how long should they have?

You're comparing apples to oranges. The abuse allegations from the Catholic Church and BSA involve adult authority figures against children. Understanding that, there is no "time limit" in which the victims can credibly report abuse. In this case, we're talking about two social peers. I think that makes a big difference.

 

[Guess Who]

You're comparing apples to oranges. The abuse allegations from the Catholic Church and BSA involve adult authority figures against children. Understanding that, there is no "time limit" in which the victims can credibly report abuse. In this case, we're talking about two social peers. I think that makes a big difference.

Its not comparing apples to oranges when talking about time passing before reporting or being believed.

 

[GrandmaBear]

You're comparing apples to oranges. The abuse allegations from the Catholic Church and BSA involve adult authority figures against children. Understanding that, there is no "time limit" in which the victims can credibly report abuse. In this case, we're talking about two social peers. I think that makes a big difference.

I was not comparing them, I said myself they are different. So you are all for the child victims of abuse having much longer than they used to have to be able to report it as adults? Okay. That is all I asked. Just asking your position on that. As we know, that used to have a statute that barred most children from being able to do anything about it as adults when they perhaps first felt strong enough to face it and do something about it, by then the time allowed was up.

 

[Kimster]

I am always really disappointed when I find out an actor I love watching turns out be a scientologist

ME TOO!!!!!

 

[kdg411]

You're comparing apples to oranges. The abuse allegations from the Catholic Church and BSA involve adult authority figures against children. Understanding that, there is no "time limit" in which the victims can credibly report abuse. In this case, we're talking about two social peers. I think that makes a big difference.

I actually agree with your summation. The 'victims' in this case were all members of the same religion, Scientology. From my understanding the victims had to sign non-disclosure agreements with the church.
After each incident the 2 women reported this to the church & were shunned. So, they filed a lawsuit in 2004 in LA, however the church squashed the case as being unfounded. After a 3rd victim came forward in 2016 it took until 2020 for formal charges to be filed?

These women were all adults as well as the accused. Where I give pause is the CA statute of limitations. I'm unclear as to how the charges could be filed under CA law. Maybe someone could help fill in this detail.

 

[Cousin Dupree]

I actually agree with your summation. The 'victims' in this case were all members of the same religion, Scientology. From my understanding the victims had to sign non-disclosure agreements with the church.
After each incident the 2 women reported this to the church & were shunned. So, they filed a lawsuit in 2004 in LA, however the church squashed the case as being unfounded. After a 3rd victim came forward in 2016 it took until 2020 for formal charges to be filed?

These women were all adults as well as the accused. Where I give pause is the CA statute of limitations. I'm unclear as to how the charges could be filed under CA law. Maybe someone could help fill in this detail.

IIRC, a lot of states have rolled back the statute of limitations on rape cases.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Here is what I found...

California

Ca. Civ. Proc. Code § 335.1

Within two years from the date of the incident

Yes, see Ca. Civ. Proc. Code § 340.1. Must be filed within eight years after the date the person attains the age of majority; or within three years after the date the person discovers the causal connection of the injury, whichever period expires later

From: Sexual Assault Civil Statutes of Limitations by State - FindLaw

 

[Howell]

Its not comparing apples to oranges when talking about time passing before reporting or being believed.

But I think it is such a comparison. As I said, an adult who was raped knows(or should know) that what happened to her is wrong, immediately. That's not the case with children, as children understand right/wrong based on what the adult authority figures in their lives(priests, scout leaders, uncles, etc) teach them. When it's these same figures who are abusing them, it's a totally different dynamic, so I think the delay in reporting from a child is not only understandable but to be expected.

 

[Howell]

I actually agree with your summation. The 'victims' in this case were all members of the same religion, Scientology. From my understanding the victims had to sign non-disclosure agreements with the church.
After each incident the 2 women reported this to the church & were shunned. So, they filed a lawsuit in 2004 in LA, however the church squashed the case as being unfounded. After a 3rd victim came forward in 2016 it took until 2020 for formal charges to be filed?

These women were all adults as well as the accused. Where I give pause is the CA statute of limitations. I'm unclear as to how the charges could be filed under CA law. Maybe someone could help fill in this detail.

California eliminated the statute of limitation on rape beginning in 2017. While that law did not apply retroactively, there were exceptions built in that would allow certain older cases to be prosecuted. I'm not sure which exception the prosecutor is relying on in order to pursue this case, but this is the text of it:

Bill Text - SB-813 Sex offenses: statute of limitations.

SB 813 Sex offenses: statute of limitations.

leginfo.legislature.ca.gov

 

[GrandmaBear]

I don't really have a strong opinion on this one yet as I just do not know enough. On the surface, it appears it would be a difficult one to fit to the exceptions although I guess that is for a judge to decide and/or dismiss it.

I do think every case is different and no two are the same and each needs to be weighed on its own facts, lack of them and more.

Going a bit sideways, I wish they would lengthen statutes on crimes related to or connected to murder. In so many of these cases, they decide not to charge murder, feel they do not have enough evidence of wait in hopes of finding the body. Sometimes it never happens or goes decades. By then the smaller crime statutes have run their course, like tampering with remains, accomplice to murder perhaps, accessory after the fact, kidnapping, whatever, etc. So I feel you often have a murderer running scott free for decades who never got so much as a slap on the hand on even a lesser charge, nor perhaps any accomplice.

 

[sfr826]

But I think it is such a comparison. As I said, an adult who was raped knows(or should know) that what happened to her is wrong, immediately. That's not the case with children, as children understand right/wrong based on what the adult authority figures in their lives(priests, scout leaders, uncles, etc) teach them. When it's these same figures who are abusing them, it's a totally different dynamic, so I think the delay in reporting from a child is not only understandable but to be expected.

Most of the victims were in their early 20s, which means their brains weren't finished developing yet. A lot of sexual assault victims (whether they were a legal adult or not) don't immediately recognize they were sexually assaulted. Sometimes it takes years to realize it. Every victim is different.

One of the victims was in an relationship with Danny. The victim almost immediately told the Church of Scientology after she was assaulted. They told the victim that she wasn't raped because she was in a relationship with him and it was "her job" to give him sex whenever he wanted it (despite the fact that she was unconscious).

Another victim went to the Church of Scientology after her assault. Danny actually confessed to the assault in front of Scientology officials. In the same case, a witness saw the victim immediately before and after the rape. The witness has corroborated the victim's report and has stated that what he saw has haunted him ever since. The victim filed a police report in 2004, then it suspiciously disappeared.

Additionally, there is a victim who was a minor when the assault occurred. However, that case is not being prosecuted because the victim committed suicide.

The Los Angeles District Attorney's office has "overwhelming evidence." From the Huffington Post: "The evidence includes audiotapes, emails sent to and from Scientology officers at the time the alleged rapes happened, forensic computer evidence and a threatening handwritten letter Masterson sent to one of the alleged victims, according to two people with knowledge of the evidence in the district attorney’s possession."

I recommend reading Tony Ortega's articles on this case, if you have the time. He has been reporting on it since 2017 and he has done an amazing job.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Most of the victims were in their early 20s, which means their brains weren't finished developing yet. A lot of sexual assault victims (whether they were a legal adult or not) don't immediately recognize they were sexually assaulted. Sometimes it takes years to realize it. Every victim is different.

One of the victims was in an relationship with Danny. The victim almost immediately told the Church of Scientology after she was assaulted. They told the victim that she wasn't raped because she was in a relationship with him and it was "her job" to give him sex whenever he wanted it (despite the fact that she was unconscious).

Another victim went to the Church of Scientology after her assault. Danny actually confessed to the assault in front of Scientology officials. In the same case, a witness saw the victim immediately before and after the rape. The witness has corroborated the victim's report and has stated that what he saw has haunted him ever since.

Additionally, there is a victim who was a minor when the assault occurred. However, that case is not being prosecuted because the victim committed suicide.

The Los Angeles District Attorney's office has "overwhelming evidence." From the Huffington Post: "The evidence includes audiotapes, emails sent to and from Scientology officers at the time the alleged rapes happened, forensic computer evidence and a threatening handwritten letter Masterson sent to one of the alleged victims, according to two people with knowledge of the evidence in the district attorney’s possession."

I recommend reading Tony Ortega's articles on this case, if you have the time. He has been reporting on it since 2017 and he has done an amazing job.

Great points. I do not know enough about this case. I also hate to sound sexist but it is often true that a male cannot understand what a female goes through. I am not saying that is never abused or used which makes it far harder on those telling the truth. However, it is often true, NOT that there are not women who use such things.

You just shared more by far than I knew about this case.

And sometimes, particularly when there is a power figure or a bunch even behind that power figure, the one does not have the nerve and does not dare come forward. But there is power in numbers. If one does not feel alone and vulnerable.

I just do not think all cases are the same, cases of any kind.

Jmo. Thanks for sharing some details in this case. I have not formed an opinion as I did not have enough knowledge of it. Not speaking for anyone else, just for me.

 

[Cousin Dupree]

Most of the victims were in their early 20s, which means their brains weren't finished developing yet. A lot of sexual assault victims (whether they were a legal adult or not) don't immediately recognize they were sexually assaulted. Sometimes it takes years to realize it. Every victim is different.

One of the victims was in an relationship with Danny. The victim almost immediately told the Church of Scientology after she was assaulted. They told the victim that she wasn't raped because she was in a relationship with him and it was "her job" to give him sex whenever he wanted it (despite the fact that she was unconscious).

Another victim went to the Church of Scientology after her assault. Danny actually confessed to the assault in front of Scientology officials. In the same case, a witness saw the victim immediately before and after the rape. The witness has corroborated the victim's report and has stated that what he saw has haunted him ever since. The victim filed a police report in 2004, then it suspiciously disappeared.

Additionally, there is a victim who was a minor when the assault occurred. However, that case is not being prosecuted because the victim committed suicide.

The Los Angeles District Attorney's office has "overwhelming evidence." From the Huffington Post: "The evidence includes audiotapes, emails sent to and from Scientology officers at the time the alleged rapes happened, forensic computer evidence and a threatening handwritten letter Masterson sent to one of the alleged victims, according to two people with knowledge of the evidence in the district attorney’s possession."

I recommend reading Tony Ortega's articles on this case, if you have the time. He has been reporting on it since 2017 and he has done an amazing job.

You're gonna fit in just fine here. Thanks for the Ortega links.

 

[sfr826]

You're gonna fit in just fine here. Thanks for the Ortega links.

Thank you!

 

[kdg411]

Here's some 'light' reading.

 

[Cousin Dupree]

Great points. I do not know enough about this case. I also hate to sound sexist but it is often true that a male cannot understand what a female goes through. I am not saying that is never abused or used which makes it far harder on those telling the truth. However, it is often true, NOT that there are not women who use such things.

You just shared more by far than I knew about this case.

And sometimes, particularly when there is a power figure or a bunch even behind that power figure, the one does not have the nerve and does not dare come forward. But there is power in numbers. If one does not feel alone and vulnerable.

I just do not think all cases are the same, cases of any kind.

Jmo. Thanks for sharing some details in this case. I have not formed an opinion as I did not have enough knowledge of it. Not speaking for anyone else, just for me.

Imagine that you were absolutely convinced that getting raped was YOUR fault. There must be something wrong with YOU. So you are put on a lie detector test and grilled about multiple things that have nothing to do with anything and you're charged a lot of money for the privledge. You do it until they convince you that it's your fault and you are a miserable person for even blaming the man. So after that you pay for more and more grilling until the "problem" that made you behave that way has fully been removed from your mind and the brain washing has been completed.

This is the psychological hold Scientology has over their people.

Oh, and you may even be punished for saying it in the first place by being placed on the RPF (Rehabilitation Project Force). You'll be forced to run from task to task with others on the RPF. You can be ordered to scrub out dumpsters with a toothbrush and you'll do it happily because you were wrong and deserve it. You're served horrible food and punished in other ways too. So you stop complaining about being raped and others find out why you were on the RPF and they stop too.