Fox News Flash top entertainment headlines November 30
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Danny Masterson's rape trial was declared a mistrial Wednesday by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Charlaine F. Olmedo.
"I find the jurors hopelessly deadlocked," the judge declared after inquiring whether there was anything the court could do to move them closer to reaching a unanimous decision.
A date for a new trial was set for March 27, 2023.
Masterson, 46, faced up to 45 years in prison if found guilty on the three counts of rape by force or fear. The alleged assaults occurred between 2001-03 at his Hollywood Hills home.
DELIBERATIONS IN DANNY MASTERSON RAPE TRIAL START OVER AFTER TWO JURORS DISMISSED DUE TO COVID-19
Danny Masterson's rape case ended with mistrial. (Anna Weber)
"Our clients showed tremendous courage in testifying about such personal and horrendous acts in a very public forum and despite persistent harassment and intimidation," attorney Alison L. Anderson said in a statement provided to Fox News Digital.
"They remain hopeful that Mr. Masterson will experience some criminal consequences for his vile conduct and are eager to now pursue their claims in civil court and seek redress for the nightmare they have been made to suffer."
Two jurors were dismissed Monday due to COVID-19, and the jury was forced to begin deliberations again.
The jury foreman said only two jurors voted for conviction on the first count, four voted for conviction on the second count and five voted to convict on the third count.
The "That ‘70’s Show" star was arrested in June 2020 and had been free on a $3.3 million bond. He had pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Danny Masterson and wife Bijou Phillips leave a Los Angeles superior court following his mistrial. (Brian Melley)
Danny Masterson leaves Los Angeles superior court with wife Bijou Phillips following mistrial. (Brian Melley)
One woman was a longtime girlfriend, another a close friend and the third accuser was a new confidant.
Each of the three women were members of the Church of Scientology, like Masterson. The accusers alleged they were hesitant to file charges due to the church's strict protocols against public involvement with member issues.
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The women have each since left the church after going public with the allegations.
In court, one accuser recalled emerging from unconsciousness to Masterson allegedly raping her. She remembered not being able to breathe and thought she was going to die. Another accuser had a similar story that Masterson raped her while she was unconscious in December 2001.
One of Danny Masterson's accusers, a previous girlfriend, alleges he raped her in 2001 while she slept. (Lucy Nicholson)
Danny Masterson faced up to 45 years in prison if convicted of three separate rape charges. (Wade Payne)
She alleged Scientology officials told her it was her responsibility to "give him sex whenever he wanted," according to Variety.
"I just needed to do as I was told, and I was not to tell anybody," she claimed. The victim then described how she faced severe retaliation after disclosing the crime to the LAPD in 2016 and subsequently sued the church and Masterson.
Rather than present a defense to the jury, Masterson's lawyers focused on revealing the inconsistencies in the stories the three accusers told while they were on the stand. They claim the accusers changed their stories and also spoke with each other prior to speaking with police.
The Church of Scientology did not immediately return Fox News Digital's request for comment.
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The Associated Press contributed to this report
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