Danny Masterson alleges anti-Scientology bias in petition to overturn rape conviction
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Former television star Danny Masterson claims a mix of failures by his defense attorney and a police investigation that was biased against Scientology led to his conviction on two counts of rape, according to a lengthy motion filed Monday.Masterson, 49, was sentenced to 30-years-to-life in prison in September 2023 after a jury found he sexually assaulted two women in the early 2000s, while at the height of his fame starring as the mercurial Steven Hyde in the sitcom “That 70s Show.” Masterson met both of the victims through the Church of Scientology at the time, and church doctrine was repeatedly made an issue at trial, with the victims claiming they were discouraged from reporting the actor to police for years.Masterson was first charged with three counts of rape in 2020, but a jury deadlocked at his initial trial in 2022.
Jurors were unable to reach a verdict again on a third rape count involving Masterson’s longtime girlfriend when handing down a conviction on the other two counts in 2023.In a 183-page filing made public Monday, attorney Eric Multhaup claimed a mix of errors by defense attorney Phillip Cohen and what he described as a law enforcement investigation heavily biased against Masterson’s faith led to a wrongful conviction.
“The unfairness of the second Masterson trial was the result of prosecutorial misconduct, judicial bias, and the failure of defense counsel to present exculpatory evidence,” he said in a statement.“The habeas corpus petition is accompanied by 65 exhibits that document the evidence of innocence that could have been presented, but was not.
The jury heard only half the story — the prosecution’s side.Danny deserves a new trial where the jury can hear his side as well.”On the eve of the first trial, Masterson was represented by Cohen and Shawn Holley, who was also representing former Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer as he faced sexua...