Warning: This article involves discussion of rape that may be distressing to some readers
Danny Masterson is reportedly attributing his rape conviction to anti-Scientology bias and ineffective legal representation, as he seeks to have the conviction overturned.
The 49-year-old actor, known for his role as Steven Hyde on the TV show That ’70s Show, is currently serving a significant prison sentence for the rape of two women between 2001 and 2003.
Despite Masterson’s not guilty plea to the charges, the initial jury could not reach a consensus on three counts of rape in December 2022, resulting in a mistrial and a subsequent retrial.
A jury of seven women and five men ultimately convicted him on two counts, leading to a sentence of 30 years to life in prison in 2023.
Masterson is now alleging that his defense attorney and the police investigation were biased against the Church of Scientology, contributing to his conviction, according to a motion filed this week.
During the trial, it was revealed that Masterson met both victims through the Church, with the religion’s teachings highlighted as a contentious issue.
Both women claimed they were discouraged from reporting him to the police for years due to the church’s alleged rules that prohibit members from reporting criminal activity.
Although the church denied these allegations, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Charlaine Olmedo, who presided over the trial, found that Scientology did enforce such policies.
In a detailed report nearing 200 pages, attorney Eric Multhaup accused defense attorney Phillip Cohen of multiple mistakes during the trial and alleged significant bias from law enforcement against Masterson’s faith.
“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,” Multhaup stated.
“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.”
Cohen was accused of requesting a delay in the trial to accommodate his colleague, Shawn Holley, who was also representing former Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer at that time. The request was denied, and Masterson reportedly grew frustrated with his defense team.
The habeas petition further alleges that Cohen failed to call witnesses who could support Masterson’s case, including friends of the victims who would testify that the sexual encounters were consensual, ‘positive,’ and even ‘enthusiastic.’
One friend allegedly mentioned that the victim had described it as ‘the best sex she had ever had,’ according to the petition.
The document claims that Cohen contacted only two out of 20 potential witnesses.
Multhaup also accused the LAPD and the district attorney’s office of harboring anti-Scientology bias, partly due to the involvement of actress Leah Remini, a former Scientologist who highlighted victims’ allegations in her documentary series about the church.
“She was welcomed into the prosecution fold as an adviser, strategist, authoritative arbiter on the policy and practices of the Church of Scientology, and advocate for the complaining witnesses,” the motion states. “She was welcomed even though the LAPD knew that she had an ongoing vendetta against petitioner.”
This development comes as his ex-wife Bijou Phillips has also sought to remove Masterson from their daughter’s name.
UNILAD has previously reached out to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office and Cohen for comment.
If you have been affected by any of the issues discussed in this article, you can contact The National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.656.HOPE (4673), available 24/7. Alternatively, you can chat online at online.rainn.org