LOS ANGELES (AP) — The jury weighing the rape charges against “That ’70s Show” star Danny Masterson announced Wednesday that it was hopelessly deadlocked and a mistrial was declared.
Masterson, 46, was accused of raping three women in his Hollywood Hills home between 2001 and 2003 and faces up to 45 years in prison if convicted on all three counts.
A new trial is scheduled for March 27, 2023.
A Masterson spokesman said two jurors voted to convict Masterson on the first charge. Four believed he was guilty on the second charge and five believed him guilty on the final charge, the spokesman said.
Masterson’s attorney declined to comment.
In a joint statement, two of the women who accused Masterson, both former members of the Church of Scientology, said they were “obviously disappointed” by the mistrial.
The actor, who still belongs to the church, had “evaded criminal responsibility for his deplorable acts,” they said. “Collectively, however, we are determined to continue our fight for justice, including in civil court, where we have alleged that Mr. Masterson, along with the Church of Scientology, its leader David Miscavige, and others conspired to stalk, harass, and intimidate us when we try to shed light on Mr. Masterson’s actions.”
A church spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The actor has denied all the accusations made against him by the women. Masterson also denied assaulting a fourth woman, identified as Jane Doe #4, who told the court that he had also raped her. Although the judge allowed Jane Doe #4’s testimony, Masterson was not criminally charged with raping her.
The announcement came on the sixth day of deliberations and after Los Angeles County Superior Court Charlaine F. Olmedo gave the panel the Thanksgiving week off.
The panel, on November 18, sent Olmedo a note saying that they had “not been able to reach a unanimous decision” on any of the three charges of forcible rape against Masterson.
“They have been deliberating for an insufficient amount of time,” Olmedo said before excusing them for the vacation.
This is a developing story, please check back for updates.
