Opening statements could be made Tuesday in the triple rape case involving That 70s Show star and Church of Scientology member Danny Masterson and three women who were also members.
Masterson’s then long-time girlfriend claims she woke up to him having non consensual intercourse with her in 2001, while two friends accuse him of raping them in 2003.
The women claim they were coerced into not coming forward to authorities by the Church, which wanted matters resolved internally. His attorney has sought a pre-trial motion to minimize the mentions of Scientology, with one legal analyst warning: “It can feel heavy handed when you have the government bringing someone’s religion into a prosecution”.
Masterson could face up to 45 years in prison if convicted of all three counts of rape by force or fear.