OldBoy

https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/17/enter...son/index.html

TomOpus

I knew him from The Ranch on Netflix. They wound up killing off his character.

JeffTheAlpaca

Was he a cult leader too?

B5Erik

What I find odd is that these charges go back 17-19 years. If he really did it, why did it take so long to file charges? And what kind of evidence could there be nearly 20 years later?

If it's a he said/she said situation it's going to be really hard to convict. But I can't imagine that they'd file charges based only on accusations, so I'm curious as to what evidence there would be almost two decades later.

I have no idea if he did it or not, but this story is just weird.

And I thought that would have passed the statute of limitations. All those pedophile priests got away with it because the allegations were made after the statute of limitations ran out, and I think some of those allegations were only 12-15 years old at the time.

Like I said, this story is weird. And ugly.

Rob V

He's a Scientologist as well... lots of "weird" stuff about how they treat women.

flansered

I've heard things about this for years, and there's always been a lot of talk about how the Church of Scientology has threatened/suppressed the accusers.

Inhumans99

B5Eric, due to the statute of limitations at least 1 charge was dropped, and another was dropped due to a lack of evidence. Apparently, folks have an ax to grind with the District Attorney who announced the charges (I have not bothered to learn the back-story on why folks might have an issue with her) but still...if you are going to pursue these charges which can lead to an actor potentially spending most of his life behind bars (but I do not think he will end up spending 45 years in prison, rather I feel that he will end up spending several years before he is released on probation) I have to think the prosecutors have enough to put Masterson away for a good stretch of time.

This is shocking, as I always felt that Masterson had the potential to become a very successful actor and while The Ranch is not proof he was on his way to becoming the next Meryl Streep I think he would have had time to become noticed as he booked more tv/film roles but that is all thrown in the garbage now due to his still allegedly heinous actions (charges have been filed but I am aware in the eyes of the court he is still considered innocent until proven guilty by a judge/jury).

This really is so sad, he could of been someone now he will become someone addressed as a number versus a person with a name.

GoldenJCJ

wasn’t that due to the initial accusations coming to light right at the peak of the #metoo movement?

Sounds like a few of those were more than just accusations...

Decker

Harvey Weinstein was found guilty of rape charges for a 2006 assault. Not much difference in time from that case.

TomOpus

Yep

Paff

Weren't the accusers also Scientologists, and thus prevented from making the allegations public?

Noonan

He hired the same lawyer Cosby used.

Bill Needle

I don't pretend to recall the details, but I believe you are generally correct. The church fought the contemporaneous accusations and investigations.

OldBoy

30 years to life.

Coral

I smell an idea for a reality show when he's released... "Danny's 70s Show" (70's being his age).

I haven't followed the case, but is it more of a he said/she-they said case or was there something more concrete that convicted him?

TomOpus

I don't know the details but I would imagine it would have to be pretty concrete for that many years. Probably DNA match.

lwhy?

From what I read it happened almost twenty years ago and the victims were former members of the church of Scientology.
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/danny-masterson-sentenced-30-years-life-prison-rcna102463

This variety article says there's no DNA or toxicology evidence. https://variety.com/2023/film/news/danny-masterson-rape-trial-drugged-women-leah-remini-1235592669/

fujishig

At first I thought you meant that former members of the Church of Scientology were involved in the coverup and I thought they were being thrown under the bus, but you meant the victims were former members (and have accused the church of helping to cover this up.)

TomOpus

Interesting that the first trial was leaning towards acquittal before it hung. Maybe people are fed up with Scientology tactics of coverup.

lwhy?

I edited it to say the victims were former members. I didn't word it correctly even though you figured out what I was saying.

TGM

I just can't see how someone could be convicted of rape after decades with no physical evidence. not saying he's innocent but man....

Troy Stiffler

I've personally known multiple women who had this happen to them, and nothing happens to the abuser.

I'm sure someone here can find statistics. I don't believe this is a commonly prosecuted offense (the date rape drug -> rape scenario). Most women would let it happen once or twice and then be really careful and protective for the rest of their lives. The abuser moves onto the next woman and leaves a trail of traumatized women behind. That's my view anyways, based on personal stories.

It's good they worked through the trial. This kind of penalty is the only thing that will stop it from happening more and more. Otherwise, it's basically like having any criminal go free without consequence.

Josh-da-man

They've been nailing the Catholic Church and guys like Cosby, Sandusky, and Weinstein years after the fact, too.

Coral

So basically, if you're going to rape someone - do it in your later years so when you get nailed for it, you'll be old and closer to death anyway.

bralph

Or, you know, don't...