On Wednesday,That 70s Show star Danny Masterson was convicted on two counts of rape .
Masterson was charged with raping three women — identified as Jane Doe 1, Jane Doe 2, and Jane Doe 3 — at his home in the Hollywood Hills between 2001 and 2003.
“I am experiencing a complex array of emotions — relief, exhaustion, strength, sadness — knowing that my abuser, Danny Masterson, will face accountability for his criminal behavior," Jane Doe 2 said after the verdict. "I am disappointed that he was not convicted on all counts, but take great solace in the fact that he, the Church of Scientology, and others, will have to fully account for their abhorrent actions in civil court.”
Masterson had met the women through the Church of Scientology, of which he is still currently a member. The three women have since left the church, with two also filing a lawsuit against them for allegedly intimidating and threatening them for coming forward.
Masterson was initially arrested in June 2020, and has been out on bail since. He was first brought to trial six months ago, but the jury was unable to reach a verdict. The jury at his retrial found him guilty of raping Jane Doe 1 and Jane Doe 2, but could not reach a verdict on Jane Doe 3.
A Jane Doe 4 also accused Masterson and testified on behalf of the other women at the trial, but the actor was not charged with raping her. In both trials, Masterson did not take the stand, and his defense attorneys declined to call any witnesses.
Jane Doe 3 said she was "devastated that he has dodged criminal accountability for his heinous conduct against me."
"Despite my disappointment in this outcome, I remain determined to secure justice, including in civil court, where I, along with my co-plaintiffs, will shine a light on how Scientology and other conspirators enabled and sought to cover up Masterson’s monstrous behavior,” she said.
Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón thanked all of the women who came forward, noting that "their courage and strength have been an inspiration to us all."
"While we are disappointed that the jury did not convict on all counts, we respect their decision," he said. "The verdicts handed down by the jury in this case were undoubtedly a difficult one to reach and we thank the jurors for their service."
Sentencing is scheduled for August 4, with Masterson facing up to 30 years in prison.
