**Actor Danny Masterson found guilty of rape: A grim reality check for Hollywood**
Once-celebrated actor Danny Masterson has been found guilty of rape in a retrial involving three women. A Los Angeles jury convicted Masterson, 47, known for his role as Steven Hyde on “That ’70s Show,” on two counts of rape. A harrowing reminder that Tinseltown can have hidden horrors lurking behind the glitz and glamour.
The first trial in November resulted in a mistrial due to the jury’s inability to reach a verdict. In this subsequent retrial, a guilty verdict was issued for victims Jen B. and N. Trout, whereas the third count involving allegations from Masterson’s ex-girlfriend Christina Bixler was declared a mistrial. All three women claimed they were drugged and sexually assaulted at Masterson’s Hollywood Hills residence between 2001 and 2003.
It’s appalling to consider that the women, initially connected by their association with the Church of Scientology, fell victim to their attacker’s predatory behavior. They claim that the church, to which Masterson is a well-known member, pressured them to keep silent about the assaults. Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney Ariel Anson has accused the Church of Scientology of deftly silencing the victims – a worrying revelation for justice-seekers everywhere.
Masterson wasn’t charged until 2020, nearly two decades after the women were terrorized. After the verdict, N. Trout expressed disappointment over Masterson not being convicted on all counts, while Bixler expressed her devastation.
Masterson’s attorney pointed out inconsistencies in the women’s testimonies, refuting claims of drugging, for which his client faces no separate charges. Regardless, Masterson now faces up to 30 years to life in
