The 47-year-old defendant is on trial for a second time for rape after his first trial in December ended in a mistrial.
In closing arguments at his trial, the jury was told that American actor Danny Masterson laced women’s drinks with drugs so he could violate them before relying on his prominence in the Church of Scientology to avoid consequences.
Masterson, a former performer of the popular US sitcom That 70s Show, is on trial for rape for the second time after the first trial ended in a mistrial on all counts in December.
Ariel Anson, the prosecutor’s attorney, told the jury, “The defendant drugs his victims to gain control.” He does this to revoke the assent of his victims.
“You don’t want sexual activity? You are without alternatives. The defendant makes this selection on behalf of these victims. And he does it again and again and again.”
The 47-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to three counts of rape at his residence between 2001 and 2003.
Philip Cohen, his attorney, told the jury that inconsistencies in the women’s testimonies are crucial to consider.
Mr. Cohen stated that [Ms. Anson] did an excellent job of ignoring many of them. “What she perceives as minor inconsistencies are central to determining whether someone is reliable, credible, and believable enough for a criminal conviction?”
Ms. Anson targeted the controversial Church of Scientology throughout her argument, of which Masterson is a member and all three women are former members.
She reiterated that church officials prevented the women from accepting what had occurred to them and from reporting it to the police for years.
“The church taught his victims ‘rape is not rape, you caused this, and most importantly, you are never permitted to contact law enforcement,'” she said.
“In Scientology, the defendant is a celebrity and is therefore untouchable.”
The church has denied having a policy that discourages members from reporting crimes to law enforcement.
Leah Remini, an actress and former member of the church who has become one of its most prominent public opponents, sat in the courtroom with her arm around one of the accusers who testified that Masterson had violated her in 2003 during both trials.
Ms. Anson led the jury through the testimony of the three women.
One is a former fiancée who claims Masterson sexually assaulted her in 2001, five years into their relationship. The other two are women he knew through church-related social circles.
All testified that after consuming Masterson’s beverages, they experienced unusual drowsiness, consciousness, and memory lapses.
In the second trial, Judge Charlaine Olmedo permitted the prosecution to explicitly assert that the defendant drugged the women, whereas, in the first trial, only descriptions of their conditions were permitted.
There are no physical indications of substance use. The investigation that led to Masterson’s apprehension began approximately 15 years after the alleged occurrence.
Ms. Anson told the jury that the accounts of the women and the testimony of the toxicology expert should suffice.
“We request that you hold the defendant accountable,” she stated. “We also request that you find him guilty.”
After the initial trial, fewer than half of the jurors voted to convict Masterson on any count.
On Friday, three weeks into the second trial, both sides’ attorneys rested their cases. The attorneys for Masterson declined to summon any witnesses.
On Tuesday, his lawyers stressed that jurors must acquit even if they believe he is guilty.
“Do you know what saying “I believe he’s probably guilty” leads to?” Mr. Cohen said. “Not guilty.”
