The judge in the Danny Masterson rape trial declared a hung jury on Wednesday after the jurors said they could not attain a verdict on any of the prices.
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In a be aware to decide Charlaine Olmedo, the jurors stated that “we aren’t even close to coming to a unanimous selection on any matter, and are convinced this can now not trade.”
Masterson, the previous famous person of “That ’70s display,” turned into charged with three counts of forcible rape relating to incidents involving three ladies from 2001 to 2003. The fees carried an ability sentence of forty-five years to existence in prison.
The jury foreman informed the judge that they had taken seven votes over the last two days, and remained deadlocked on every fee. The break up becomes two for guilty and 10 for no longer guilty on count 1; four for guilty and 8 for no longer responsible on depending on 2; and five for guilty and seven for no longer responsible on remembering three.
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Olmedo declared a mistrial and set a retrial date of March 27.
Deputy District lawyer Reinhold Mueller indicated outside court that no decision has been made on whether or not to retry the case.
“It’s a verbal exchange we should have with our office,” Mueller said. “We’re going to have a communication with our witnesses and our victims.”
Masterson declined to comment outside court. Philip Cohen, his protection legal professional, stated that Masterson become feeling “a variety of remedies,” even though Cohen acknowledged there is a chance he may be attempted again.
“Hopefully what the jury indicated, in this case, will be checked out by means of the District lawyer’s workplace,” Cohen stated. “To listen 10 for no longer guilty, eight for now not guilty, seven for now not guilty, speaks volumes.”
Cohen stated he spoke with the jurors after the mistrial changed into declared, and that the communication turned “particularly helpful and illuminating.” He did now not have percentage information of what turned into mentioned.
“Credibility, in reality, is the whole lot in this example,” Cohen said. “and I assume the vote count speaks to that.”
of the accusers issued an assertion, through their attorneys, expressing disappointment with the final results.
“we’re disenchanted that, at the least in the meantime, Daniel Masterson has avoided crook accountability for his deplorable acts,” stated the two ladies, recognized as Jane Doe #2 and Jane Doe #3. They had been joined inside the assertion through every other lady, whose claims were now not part of the trial, and with the aid of the husband of Jane Doe #three. They said they intend to keep the combat.
“But, we’re collectively resolved to retain our combat for justice, including in civil courtroom, where we have alleged that Mr. Masterson, together with the Church of Scientology, its chief David Miscavige, and others conspired to systematically stalk, harass, and intimidate us when we sought to shed mild on Mr. Masterson’s actions,” they stated. “This prison combat is a ways from over, and it’s miles critical that we reckon with Scientology’s alleged position in masking up reviews of abuse and dangerous victims.”
In a separate assertion, the los Angeles County D.A.’s office also stated it become “disappointed,” although it thanked the jury for its carrier.
“We also need to provide our heartfelt appreciation to the sufferers for bravely stepping ahead and recounting their harrowing stories,” the office said. “We also are thankful for the tough work of the prosecution group and we can now remember our next steps because it relates to prosecuting this example.”
The jury began taking into consideration after the last arguments on Nov. 15. On Nov. 18, the jurors informed Olmedo that they have been deadlocked on all three counts. Olmedo told them to go back after the Thanksgiving excursion and preserve contemplating.
Two jurors had been excused on Monday after trying out nice for COVID-19 and were replaced with alternates. The jury turned into informed to begin deliberations all yet again. The brand new panel requested for a readback of testimony from one of the accusers past due on Tuesday. After listening to that testimony on Wednesday, they again to the jury room.
Masterson was accused of raping a longtime lady friend in November 2001; a friend of his assistant’s in April 2003; and a fellow actor in late 2003. A fourth lady additionally testified that Masterson raped her at events in 1996, even though her allegations have been now not charged and were used only to guide the alternative 3 accusations.
The prosecution alleged that Masterson felt a feeling of entitlement due to his appearing success and his high reputation inside the Church of Scientology. The three accusers, all former Scientologists, have all said that they were discouraged from taking into account the assaults as “rape,” and two have alleged that the church threatened them with ex-communication if they went to the police.
The ladies filed a civil suit in 2019 alleging that they have been stalked and pressured by the church when you consider that coming ahead to the police in 2016. The church has denied the allegations.
Masterson did not testify at the month-long trial. Cohen argued that the girls’ debts were riddled with “contradictions and fabrications.” He additionally alleged that the accusers used Scientology as an excuse to explain away inconsistencies in their statements.
