That '70s Show actor Danny Masterson pleads not guilty to rape charges | CBC News Loaded. LOS ANGELES - A judge on Friday ordered That 70s Show actor Danny Masterson to stand trial on three counts of rape, stemming from alleged attacks in 2001 and 2003 at the height of the show's popularity. Later, he took a pistol out of a dresser drawer and waved it in her presence in the way that a gang member would give a gang sign, she said. We won't post to any of your accounts without asking first. (Lucy Nicholson/Pool Photo via AP, File). ", JUDGE IN DANNY MASTERSON'S RAPE CASE TO HEAR EVIDENCE FROM PROSECUTORS. But she decided to contact police anyway. The. His defense attorney accused the three women of colluding against Masterson, claiming that they were in contact with each other and sued him in arbitration. [12] The original casting director for That '70s Show, Debby Romano, resisted Masterson's audition because he was slightly older than the rest of the cast, but ultimately allowed him to audition. Masterson has yet to directly respond to any of Bixler-Zavala's claims or his prior allegations made; the closest acknowledgment being Masterson's wife Bijou Phillips making an Instagram post mocking court papers against Masterson. The district attorneys office said that it had declined to file separate sexual assault charges against Masterson in two other cases because, in one instance, there was insufficient evidence and, in another, because of the statute of limitations. On June 17, 2020, Masterson was arrested and charged with three counts of forcible rape, which he categorically denied. The actor Danny Masterson, known for his roles in the sitcoms That 70s Show and The Ranch, has been charged with raping three women in the early 2000s, the Los Angeles County District Attorneys office said on Wednesday. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Masterson was also a DJ at Los Angeles Alternative Rock Station KDLD Indie 103.1. As for the rest of the cast, they may not have had as memorable auditions as Danny. Thompson released a statement on behalf of the women that said that they were thankful that the Los Angeles County District Attorneys office is finally seeking criminal justice against Masterson after a three-year investigation.. Despite dozens of investigations, most have led to no charges based on lack of evidence or too much time having passed since the alleged sexual assaults. After the June 7th arraignment, Masterson remained free on a $3.3 million bail. (AP/File). Theyre all alright! Masterson is charged with forcibly raping three women in separate incidents occurring between 2001 and 2003, a press release from the District Attorneys Office said. Masterson, 44, was charged with three counts of rape by force or fear, and faces a maximum sentence of 45 years to life in prison if convicted. Tony Ortega, a former editor of The Village Voice, reported in 2017 that at least three of the women claimed they were pressured to keep quiet by the Church of Scientology, to which they and Masterson belonged. Danny Masterson is an American actor known for his role as Steven Hyde in That '70s Show. Actor Danny Masterson, best known for his role on That 70s Show, was charged with three counts of rape, Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey announced Wednesday. In the USA Network television series White Collar, he played Josh Roland in the episode "Where There's a Will". She was racked with panic, she testified in a Los Angeles court Tuesday, having told only a few people about the night she says Masterson assaulted her at his Hollywood home in 2003. NEXT:Mila Kuniss Biggest Roles, Including That 70s Show. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much 'Octomom' Nadya Suleman Is a Proud Mom of 14: See Her Kids Today! ", DANNY MASTERSON RAPE ALLEGATIONS FROM FELLOW SCIENTOLOGISTS RESURFACE, "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 continued in thestatement. [54][55], On June 7, 2021, Masterson pleaded not guilty to rape accusations alleged to have occurred between 2001 and 2003. The series centered around the lives of a group of teenage friends living in the fictional suburban town . More at IMDbPro Contact info Agent info Resume Born March 13, 1976 Add to list Awards In this country, you are presumed innocent until proven guilty. or redistributed. Masterson is best known for his role as Steven Hyde on the period teen sitcom "That '70s Show," which aired for eight seasons on the Fox network from 1998-2006. He is also charged with raping a woman who was 28 at the time and a 23-year-old woman he had invited to his home some time between October and December 2003, according to L.A. County Deputy District Attorney Reinhold Mueller. Even in this #MeToo era and heightened awareness of sexual abuse in Hollywood, the trial of Masterson would mark a rare instance allegations against a well known entertainment figure would get this far. Please note that this form cannot be used to reset your Google or Facebook password. [11], In the early 1990s, Masterson had a role in Beethoven's 2nd, and starred as Justin in Cybill. Have a tip? For one thing, his audition was "hilarious," said the staff, and that set the gears turning. The "That 70s Show" star, 45, appeared in court for his arraignment at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center in Los Angeles on Monday where Masterson entered into a not guilty plea to three charges of rape by force or fear, stemming from incidents that reportedly occurred in the early 2000s, Fox News has confirmed. LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) Actor Danny Masterson pleaded not guilty Monday to allegations that he sexually assaulted three women at his Hollywood Hills home. Danny Masterson was born on 13 March 1976 in Long Island, New York, USA. Masterson starred in "The Ranch" with Ashton Kutcher and was an executive producer for the show. Closed Captioning and Described Video is available for many CBC shows offered on CBC Gem. An attorney for That '70s Showactor Danny Masterson pleaded not guilty on his behalf Wednesday to the rapes of three women in the early 2000s. [51] A four-day preliminary hearing began on May 18, 2021. [52] On May 21, 2021, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Charlaine F. Olmedo said that she "found all three witnesses to be credible and the evidence presented during a preliminary hearing sufficient to support the charges. After a judge ruled last month that Danny Masterson must stand trial on three counts of rape, the actor now has a pre-trial court hearing date scheduled for Aug. 9, 2021. His bail was set at $3.3 million, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department, and his arraignment is scheduled for Sept. 18. Legal Statement. In a written response, the chief referred the woman to the suppressive acts rules, according to the documents. The show also starred Mila Kunis, Ashton Kutcher, Laura Prepon and Wilmer Valderrama. "[32] A fifth woman who dated Masterson made similar rape accusations in December 2017. Bill Cosby also hired Mesereau for a retrial of sexual assault charges in Pennsylvania. Bijoux', "At the Drive-In / The Mars Volta's Cedric Bixler-Zavala Alleges Family Dog Was Poisoned and Killed by Scientologists", "DESTROYER OF CULTS on Instagram: 'We had to put her down today. CNN has not spoken to any of Mastersons accusers. A warrant was filed against Masterson, 44, on Tuesday for three counts of rape by force in connection with allegations of assault of three different women from 2001 to 2003, according to a release from the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office. A spinoff of the popular sitcom That '70s Show is coming and reuniting (most of) the original cast. [33] He was dropped as a client by United Talent Agency. (Photo by Lucy Nicholson - Pool/Getty Images), allegations that he sexually assaulted three women at his Hollywood Hills. The show also led to Danny's friendship with Ashton Kutcher, although their relationship has undoubtedly changed since the show wrapped. "That '70s Show" actor Danny Masterson, charged with raping three women, made his first appearance Friday in a Los Angeles courtroom, where his attorney declared his innocence and denounced. Few TV shows have had such a significant impact on modern culture as 'That '70s Show.' Sure, it spanned countless seasons (and years), just like other sitcoms. Masterson is accused of raping a 23-year-old woman whom he had invited to his home in Hollywood Hills some time between October and December of 2003, the district attorneys office said in a news release. The New York native along with former costars Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis, Wilmer Valderrama and Laura Prepon were later announced to be reprising their roles in guest-starring positions when the spinoff premieres in January 2023. In January, the actor pleaded not guilty to the charges. Masterson is accused of raping a 23-year-old woman between January and December of 2001 and a 28-year-old woman in April 2003 in his home and a 28-year-old woman in April 2003 in his home. There is no evidence to support that,"Mueller reportedly fired back. He was ordered to stand trial May 21 by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Charlaine Olmedo, who said that she "found all three witnesses to be credible and the evidence sufficient to support the charges.". Instead of creating a new role for Masterson, the production staff rewrote the character of Hyde to fit the way Danny acted him out. "On Saturday, he joined his former The Ranch and That '70s Show costar Ashton. [34][35][36], A planned 2019 episode of Leah Remini's show Aftermath, focusing on the Masterson rape allegations, was delayed due to what one of Masterson's accusers characterized as pressure from the Church of Scientology. alums case is scheduled to be retried in March 2023. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! (Reuters), The "Ranch" performer was ordered to stand trial on May 21 by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Charlaine Olmedo, who maintained that she "found all three witnesses to be credible and the evidence sufficient to support the charges.". Danny Masterson of That '70s Show charged with raping 3 women, Netflix fires actor Danny Masterson amid sexual assault allegations, CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices. In addition to Kunis thriving role as a mother and wife, she has had an extremely successful career ranging from her work onBlack Swan,Luckiest Girl Alive and being the voice of Meg Griffin on Family Guy. IE 11 is not supported. The actor Danny Masterson, known for his roles in the sitcoms "That '70s Show" and "The Ranch," has been charged with raping three women in the early 2000s, the Los Angeles County District. Mastersons accusers are also part of a civil lawsuit filed against him in 2019. Deputy Dist. "The people who know Mr. Masterson know his character and know the allegations to be false.". Deputy District Attorney Reinhold Mueller of the Sex Crimes Division is prosecuting the case. Bail was set at $3.3 million. "Law enforcement investigated these claims more than 15 years ago and determined them to be without merit.". Fellow Scientologists had rebuffed her attempts to talk, directing her instead to speak with high-ranking church officials, the woman said. The women are considered victims of sexual assault and were not named in the district attorney's release. star told the outlet that he didnt think a reunion show would be possible due to the stars hectic schedules. Diana Dasrath is entertainment producer and senior reporter for NBC News covering all platforms. Danny Masterson almost wasn't on 'That '70s Show,' but he wound up impressing producers to make it happen. If there is any consistency in these statements, it was because the defendant was consistent in these acts.. RELATED:Did Danny Masterson Cost 'That '70s Show' Their Netflix Spot? The judge found the three alleged victims' delays in reporting the alleged attacks to be reasonable given the tenets of the Church of Scientology, of which the actor is a longtime adherent. Long before accusations came out against Danny Masterson, he was a beloved character on 'That '70s Show.' DANNY MASTERSON ACCUSER DETAILS ALLEGED RAPE, SAYS HE HIT HER WHEN SHE FOUGHT BACK, The That 70s Show star, 45, appeared in court for his arraignment at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center in Los Angeles. The happy couple share a daughter, whom they welcomed in February 2021. Email In Touch at contact@intouchweekly.com. These days, she is serving mom realness in her hit movie franchise,Bad Moms. [13], In 2012, the sitcom Men At Work premiered on TBS, co-starring Masterson and Michael Cassidy, James Lesure and Adam Busch. Scroll below to see what the rest of the That 70s Show cast is up to today. His defense attorney also stated that one of the Jane Does had obtained money from Masterson in 2004. "[citation needed]. [36][42], On January 22, 2020, Bixler-Zavala reported that a second of his family pets had to be put down due to being fed rat poison wrapped inside a rolled-up piece of raw meat, alleging this was done by Scientologists in response to his repeated public statements alleging Masterson raped his wife (who was one of the four women who filed suit against Masterson). James Queally writes about crime and policing in Southern California, where he currently covers Los Angeles Countys criminal courts and the district attorneys office. [61] The jury remained deadlocked once deliberations resumed; consequently, a mistrial was declared on November 30, 2022. [38], Cedric Bixler-Zavala, singer for the bands The Mars Volta and At the Drive-In, alleged that Masterson sexually assaulted his wife, and stated At the Drive-In's song "Incurably Innocent" (from the 2017 album Inter alia) is about the incident. The idea was that they all had to be 18 to audition, but Danny was about 22 at the time. All of the alleged rapes happened at his Hollywood Hills home. Authorities say Masterson, who is charged by his full name Daniel Peter Masterson, is accused of raping a 23-year-old woman between January and December 2001. "We want to do anything we can to tone down the cameras and the circus-like atmosphere that have pervaded this case," the attorney said. Mesereau pressed the court that the media presence would be unfairly prejudicial to Masterson and taint potential jurors. 7:20 AM EDT, Thu June 18, 2020, Actor Danny Masterson arrested on rape charges, New revenge hits by Shakira and Miley Cyrus have CNN anchors disagreeing with each other, Janelle Mone reveals a 'Glass Onion' spoiler on CNN, Watch: Brendan Fraser gets emotional as he collects Critics Choice Award, 'I am a little defensive': Andy Cohen reacts to Wallace questioning about 'The Real Housewives', Video: Clumsy pandas capture hearts on livestream, 4,000-year-old eggs discovered near ancient fire pit, See huge former NBA player win small car on game show, Late night hosts react to classified documents found at Biden's former office, This 82-year-old couldn't afford to retire. Valderrama lent out his iconic voice forHandy Manny as well as Agustn Madrigal in Encanto following his role as the foreign exchange student. [6], Masterson was a child model from age four, and was featured in magazine articles as well as television commercials beginning at age five. The Associated Press contributed to this report. "[53] She ordered that Masterson be bound over for trial on three counts of rape by force or fear and that he surrender his passport at his next arraignment, which is set for June 7, 2021. "Danny Masterson has not been arrested or indicted, and he's making the most of it," the Ortega report began. In response to the accusations, Netflix fired Masterson from its comedy series The Ranch on December 5, 2017, saying in a statement, "Yesterday was his last day on the show, and production will resume in early 2018 without him." The woman also said Masterson pulled out a pistol and threatened her at one point during the assault. [56] The defense filed a motion to dismiss the case based on a lack of evidence presented during the May preliminary hearing, prompting Judge Olmedo to send a motion that this request be heard before another judge on November 10, 2021. Masterson appeared in all 200 episodes of the popular Fox sitcom between 1998 and 2006, playing alongside such well known actors as Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis, Topher Grace and Laura Prepon. That '70s Show star Danny Masterson, 44, has been charged with three counts of rape "by force or fear." The incidents occurred between 2001 and 2003, the Los Angeles District Attorney's . 'That '70s Show' actor Danny Masterson ordered to stand trial on rape charges He faces up to 45 years in prison if convicted of all charges. Prosecutors declined to charge Masterson in connection with two other sexual assault allegations, according to the district attorney's office, because of insufficient evidence in one and because the statute of limitations had expired in the other. The actor showed no visible reaction when the judge ordered him to stand trial. [21] He has hosted celebrity poker events, such as the Phat Farm Stuff Casino Weekend Poker Tournament, in which he won the tournament. She is a mother of two with husbandBen Foster. Masterson faces up to 45 years in prison if convicted on all charges. If youre going to say the word rape dont say it now, she recalled the man admonishing her. In December 2017, Netflix announced that Masterson had been fired from the Emmy-winning scripted comedy "The Ranch" amid sexual assault allegations. Then a TikTok user stepped in, Driver shocks police officer with backflip during DWI test, Surveillance video catches moment deer barrels into butcher shop, See moment snowboarder is swept away by avalanche, 'Shamefully good': Stephen Colbert reacts to Tom Hanks' new cocktail creation. Audience Relations, CBC P.O. 2023 Cable News Network. Mesereau - best known for winning acquittals for late pop star Michael Jackson who was tried on child molestation charges in 2005 in Santa Barbara County - previewed his aggressive defense of Masterson throughout this week's dramatic preliminary hearing. appreciated. The hearing is scheduled to continue Wednesday. Days, she is a mother of two with husbandBen Foster the man admonishing her the Sex Crimes is! People who know Mr. Masterson know his character and know the allegations to be 18 to audition but. Deadlocked once deliberations resumed ; consequently, a mistrial was declared on November 30, 2022 dated Masterson made rape. 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