Despite all efforts by defense attorneys and a judge — to ensure that Scientology won’t go to trial in the criminal rape case against former “That ’70s Show” actor Danny Masterson, Church on Tuesday released the opening statement and the opening witness. Testimony played a big role in both. ,
Masterson’s lawyers argued in pre-trial motions to keep his religion out of trial, and the judge agreed that the church should only be brought in if the alleged victims – Scientologists – took years to report the attacks. . But once the trial started, everything went out the window.
Several members of Masterson’s family sat in the public gallery, including wife Bijou Phillips, his mother Carol and his sister Alana, and brothers Chris and Jordan. Wearing a blue jacket, white shirt, navy tie and gray pants, a masked Masterson clenched his fists and opened his fists as did several members of the public.
In his opening statement for prosecutors, the deputy district attorney would have heard each of the testimony of the three alleged victims by the jury – known for trial purposes as Jane B.N. Trout and C.B. – saying: Trust that after you hear the evidence, each one of you will be able to find guilty verdict in this case for forcible rape.”
Defense attorney Philip Cohen said all three alleged victims were told directly by an LAPD detective not to talk to each other or anyone else about the case — but they did, and corrupted the case. He said there is “no medical evidence, no rape kit, no forensic evidence, no photos or videos, no voicemail” to corroborate the testimony of the alleged victims.
Taking the stand Tuesday after the jury sat down, Jane B said she was “born into Scientology. My parents were Scientologists.”
Deputy District Attorney Reinhold Müller also established to the witness that all his close circles
The friend was a Scientologist, and he attended the Delphi School (a Scientology school). Mueller then asked if he was aware of some Scientology policies.
“Did they have an impact in terms of relationships with other people?”
Jane B responded: “It was inclined to have brotherhood with the enemy,” explaining the meaning of “none of us, none were enlightened and engaged in Scientology.”
He then used the term WOG which, in Scientology, refers to a qualified Oriental Gentleman – a derogatory term for someone who is not a Scientologist.
“You might be reported to have ties with WOGS unless you were bringing them into the Scientology fold,” she said.
Defense Attorney Philip Cohen – who has fought for several days to limit Scientology’s presence throughout the trial – objected strongly and Olmeida called an afternoon break.
After sacking the jury, she warned both parties, saying that she would not allow the trial to be influenced by Scientology, and threatened the jury each time not to abide by her decisions.
Mueller then asked Jane B about the specifics of an incident in September 2002, where Jane B alleged that Masterson had raped her while intoxicated.
That incident was never reported to the police, and Masterson was not charged; However, the allegation stems from the alleged rape at the actor’s house nine months later.
In the 2002 incident, Jane B testified that she had planned to spend the night with her best friend after the night out, but the friend could not attend. The friend told him that he should stay in Masterson’s guest room that night. She testified that Masterson gave her two drinks, the two kissed and fell asleep.
She said her feet were on the floor and Masterson stood up, piercing his anus. When asked by Mueller if she could see or tell what was happening, Jane B began to cry and said she couldn’t, but “I pulled the sheet to pull … I found myself a Pulled one hand to the bed and reached back with the other to shoo him away.”
She testified that she was shouting “No!”
When asked how she felt about the initial kiss, Jane B said: “Like, it was stupid. It almost felt like incest. We’re such a strict group… He was more like a brother. Sometimes the meanest brother.” If he was drinking it was kind of different.”
Mueller went witness through what happened the next morning. He remembered waking up in his bed, but he was not there or in the house. He called a friend to pick him up and had no contact later that day.
Once the session was over and the jury was dismissed, Cohen objected to Jane B’s testimony about WOG and the “enemy.”
“The jury is now told that Masterson views people who are not of the same religion as important,” he argued.
Olmeida declined a defense request for Mistrial and reiterated that she would allow information that showed the defendants’ beliefs are rooted in Scientology, because “anyone’s beliefs are going to be rooted in something.”
She told Cohen, “I appreciate your concern. I’m not sure how surprised you were when you had the last slide. [in opening statements] was full of Scientology terms and was talking about the elephant in the room. He then said, “The court is disappointed because both of you have pushed the boundaries.”
Mueller apologized and said that Jane B’s statements were spontaneous. He reiterated his goal with respect to his opening statement, when he told the jury, “This case will also be about certain policies that each of these alleged victims understood they needed to follow, so you can hear some of the testimony.” He is going. Based on his understanding of these particular policies, he worked in certain ways, [and] Choose a few options based on your understanding of the policies.”
Testimony resumed on Wednesday morning.