US actor Danny Masterson has been found guilty of rape. After more than six days of deliberations, twelve jurors handed down the verdict on Wednesday in Los Angeles. They found Masterson guilty of raping two women in 2003, prosecutors said. In a third case of rape allegations by another woman, the jury could not agree on a unanimous verdict.
The sentence is expected to be announced at the beginning of August. Masterson faces 30 years to life imprisonment, according to prosecutors. He was taken out of the courtroom in handcuffs.
Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón thanked the three plaintiffs for their "courage and strength" in sharing their experiences in court. It is crucial to prevent sexual assault.
It was the second trial against the actor. The previous criminal trial had ended inconclusively in November. At that time, the jury could not agree on a unanimous verdict in any of the three cases. The judge in charge then declared a so-called mistrial. The prosecution reopened the case.
Masterson had pleaded "not guilty"
On payment of a bail in the millions, Masterson was free until the guilty verdict on Wednesday. The actor had always denied the allegations and pleaded "not guilty". All sexual acts were consensual, the actor asserted.
The police investigation had begun in 2017. Among the plaintiffs was a former girlfriend of the actor. The women described similar circumstances that Masterson drugged them in his home and then raped them. The proceedings also addressed the controversial Scientology organization, which calls itself a church. Masterson is a prominent member, at times the plaintiffs belonged to the organization, as the film portal "Hollywood Reporter" reported.
Masterson has been married to actress Bijou Phillips since 2011. The couple has a daughter. The 47-year-old actor had become known with the comedy series "The Wild Seventies", in which he played the sunglasses-wearing Steven Hyde from 1998 to 2006.