Danny Masterson pictured for the first time as he begins retrial for sexual assault

Back to court. danny masterson47, in which he starred That show from the 70s for more than eight years, he was seen leaving a Los Angeles courthouse on Monday. The actor was seen wearing a black suit while taking a lunch break with his legal team. Danny’s return to court comes amid the start of his sexual assault retrial that began in October and November 2022. He is facing the same three rape charges filed against him that are associated with the three alleged victims in cases dating back to 2003 . , For Variety.

The allegations first came to light in March 2017. “The LAPD’s Rape and Homicide Division is investigating alleged sexual assaults involving actor Danny Masterson,” an LAPD spokesman said. hollywood life at the moment. “Three women have come forward making the allegations that allegedly occurred in the early 2000s.” One of his lawyers Tom Mesereaumaintained Danny’s innocence in a 2020 deposition.

“Obviously, Mr. Masterson and his wife [Bijou Phillips] They are shocked that these nearly 20-year-old allegations suddenly turn into allegations, but they and their family take comfort in knowing the truth will finally come out. People who know Mr. Masterson know his character and know the allegations are false,” she said at the time. Danny was charged with three counts of rape “by force or fear” in June 2020.

Although Danny currently faces a maximum of 45 years to life in state prison, the charges continue to be dismissed. Most recently, on Jan. 6, 2023, the 47-year-old man asked the court to use his “discretion” and drop the charges against him, it was reported. the Hollywood reporter. “If the evidence does not change materially and a retrial is likely to result in an acquittal or another jury tie, that suggests dismissal would be in the interest of justice,” the report said. his other lawyer, Philip Kent Cohenwrote in a statement obtained by the DAY at the moment. Judge of the Los Angeles County Superior Court caraine olmedo officially declared a mistrial on Nov. 30, 2022, after a month-long trial resulted in an even jury.

Two of the alleged victims released a statement regarding the retrial, per Variety. “We are pleased that Danny Masterson is not allowed to simply escape criminal liability,” the statement read. “Despite years of intimidation and harassment, we are fully committed to participating in the upcoming criminal trial to the extent requested by prosecutors and testifying again about Mr. Masterson. Currently, there are more than “200 potential jurors” being polled for their selection, which will result in 12 jurors and “eight alternates,” according to the same vehicle.

Testimonials for the retrial are due to begin April 24 and could take up to two months, but the judge “didn’t expect” it “to take that long.” Cohen confirmed on Monday that Danny’s witness list is “basically the same as before.” and although Variety reported that this trial will be quite similar to the previous one, some of the few changes that can be expected include “new expert witnesses and corroborating witnesses” along with “more experts to testify about the effects drugs and alcohol can have on memory”. . Though the jury failed to reach a unanimous decision last fall, it favored “acquittal” with votes of 10-2, 8-4 and 7-5 on all three counts.

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