Masterson's Rape Trial Ends in Deadlock, Setting Stage for Retrial
Back in 2020, Danny Masterson found himself facing charges of forcibly raping three women between 2001 and 2003, as reported by CNN previously.
The District Attorney's office released a statement expressing disappointment with the trial's outcome yet expressing gratitude towards the jury members for their service. They also acknowledged the courage of the victims for sharing their heartrending stories.
The District Attorney's office indicated that they would examine the next steps in the case's prosecution, although they remained tight-lipped on the possibility of a retrial. CNN contacted Masterson's attorney for comment, who, outside the court, declined to comment on a verbal request for a statement.
Masterson, whose full name is Daniel Peter Masterson, is primarily known for his role as Steven Hyde in That 70s Show. The show ran for eight seasons between 1998 and 2006 on the Fox Television Network.
Aside from Masterson, the show also starred Mila Kunis, Ashton Kutcher, Laura Prepon, and Wilmer Valderrama. Masterson will reappear alongside Kutcher in the Netflix series "The Ranch" and had a part in the TBS series "Men at Work." (TBS, like CNN, is a property of Warner Bros. Discovery Channel.)
Netflix and "The Ranch" producers excluded Masterson from the series in 2017 due to alleged sexual assault accusations. At the time, Masterson released a statement to CNN, expressing disappointment with the decision.
After Masterson's arrest in June 2020, his attorney, Tom Mesereau, told CNN, "Mr. Masterson is innocent, and we believe he will be acquitted when all the evidence finally comes to light, when truth comes to light, and when witnesses have the opportunity to testify."
Authorities alleged that all the alleged crimes took place at Masterson's Hollywood Hills residence.
In a related update, prosecutors have decided to retry the case. The judge in the original trial has denied the Defense's motion to dismiss the charges, ruling that a different outcome at a retrial is at least a possibility. Jury selection for the retrial is scheduled to begin on March 29.
The judge emphasized the public interest in seeing the allegations against Masterson sorted out, as he stands accused of multiple counts of serious and violent felonies – forcible rapes.
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The entertainment industry is paying close attention to the latest developments in the high-profile Danny Masterson rape trial. With the jury's deadlock, the decision to retry the case sets a significant precedent, potentially impacting other entertainment figures facing accusations of similar misconduct.
