Danny Masterson drugged women's drinks so he could rape them, then relied on his prominence in the Church of Scientology to avoid consequences for years, a prosecutor told jurors Tuesday in closing arguments at the actor's trial.
"The defendant drugs his victims to gain control. He does this to take away his victims' ability to consent," Deputy District Attorney Ariel Anson told the jury of seven men and five women. "You don't want to have sex? You don't have a choice. The defendant makes that choice for these victims. And he does it over and over and over again."
"She did a very nice job of ignoring many of them," Cohen said. "What she views as little inconsistencies are at the heart of trying to determine, `Is somebody, reliable, credible, believable enough for a criminal conviction?"' "The church taught his victims, `Rape isn't rape, you caused this, and above all, you are never allowed to go to law enforcement,"' she said. "In Scientology, the defendant is a celebrity and he is untouchable."Actor Leah Remini, a former member of the church who has become one of its most prominent public opponents, sat in the courtroom, her arm around one of the accusers, who testified during both trials that Masterson raped her in 2003.
Cohen said Claire Headley, a former Scientology official who testified as a prosecution expert in an element not allowed at the first trial, had credibility problems based on an unsuccessful lawsuit against the church and a relationship with Remini.Anson guided jurors through the testimonies of all three women. One is a former girlfriend who said Masterson raped her five years into their relationship in 2001. The two others are women he knew through social circles surrounding the church.
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Danny Masterson's rape retrial: Closing arguments set to beginClosing arguments are expected to begin Tuesday at the second trial of 'That '70s Show' actor Danny Masterson, who is charged with raping three women at his Los Angeles home between 2001 and 2003.
Read more »
Danny Austin's 50 Things I'm Watching This Stampeders SeasonHere are 50 things Postmedia’s Calgary Stampeders beat reporter Danny Austin is thinking about heading into the 2023 CFL season ...
Read more »
Danny Austin's 50 Things I'm Watching This Stampeders SeasonHere are 50 things Postmedia’s Calgary Stampeders beat reporter Danny Austin is thinking about heading into the 2023 CFL season ...
Read more »
Perseverance pays off as Danny Jansen keys Blue Jays rally in sweep of BravesAt various checkpoints of the 162\u002Dgame Major League Baseball season, perspective is almost as important as performance.
Read more »
BEYOND LOCAL: Church holds 'big influence' over Ontario township that voted down Pride flagsOxford County Pride, an advocacy group, said it has taken the Pride flag ban to the Ontario Human Rights Commission
Read more »
BEYOND LOCAL: Church holds 'big influence' over Ontario township that voted down Pride flagsOxford County Pride, an advocacy group, said it has taken the Pride flag ban to the Ontario Human Rights Commission
Read more »