Danny Masterson will head to trial on three charges of forcible rape this month, and his lawyer is now arguing to limit mention of the Church of Scientology — of which Masterson is a member — in court because of a recent "inflammatory" ad campaign from a Los Angeles mayoral candidate.
Last week, Rick Caruso launched an attack ad campaign against Karen Bass, alleging that his competitor is affiliated with the Church, which he considers to be a "ruthless global scam."
"The public is being inundated with this," Masterson's lawyer, Philip Cohen, said during a court hearing today, Variety reports. "It is a significant problem for Mr. Masterson."
He added: "It's just horrible timing for the defence ... The word 'Scientology' never needs to come up. If something needs to come up, it can be called 'the church,' 'the organization,' 'a club.'"
Cohen has requested that Judge Charlaine Olmedo consider delaying the trial until after the election, which is due to take place early next month. Prosecutor Reinhold Mueller argued that any biases could be addressed when questioning potential jurors.
Masterson and his legal team had previously filed to dismiss his felony rape court case in February, arguing that Judge Olmedo had erred when considering the tenets of Introduction to Scientology Ethics in her ruling to send the actor to trial.
Masterson stands accused of rape by three women — Chrissie Carnell Bixler and two Jane Does — and faces 45 years in prison if convicted. In January 2021, he pleaded not guilty to all three counts.
Last week, Rick Caruso launched an attack ad campaign against Karen Bass, alleging that his competitor is affiliated with the Church, which he considers to be a "ruthless global scam."
"The public is being inundated with this," Masterson's lawyer, Philip Cohen, said during a court hearing today, Variety reports. "It is a significant problem for Mr. Masterson."
He added: "It's just horrible timing for the defence ... The word 'Scientology' never needs to come up. If something needs to come up, it can be called 'the church,' 'the organization,' 'a club.'"
Cohen has requested that Judge Charlaine Olmedo consider delaying the trial until after the election, which is due to take place early next month. Prosecutor Reinhold Mueller argued that any biases could be addressed when questioning potential jurors.
Masterson and his legal team had previously filed to dismiss his felony rape court case in February, arguing that Judge Olmedo had erred when considering the tenets of Introduction to Scientology Ethics in her ruling to send the actor to trial.
Masterson stands accused of rape by three women — Chrissie Carnell Bixler and two Jane Does — and faces 45 years in prison if convicted. In January 2021, he pleaded not guilty to all three counts.
