That '70s Show star Danny Masterson had his bid to dismiss his felony rape court case rejected by a judge yesterday (February 8) on the basis that the alleged victims' testimonies were deemed credible — contrary to what Masterson's lawyers argued in the hearing.
The actor's legal team argued that Judge Charlaine F. Olmedo, who had limited cross-examination of Masterson's three rape accusers back in May 2021, erred when considering the tenets of Introduction to Scientology Ethics in her ruling to send the actor to trial, Rolling Stone reports.
Los Angeles County Judge Ronald S. Coen upheld Olmedo's ruling yesterday, stating, "I find that the testimony of [the alleged victims] is credible, and I believe it's sufficient to support the charges ... There is sufficient evidence to deny the [dismissal motion], and it's denied."
Masteron's legal team previously argued that in trying to resolve "inconsistencies" in the accusers' stories "by interpreting [Scientology] church doctrine" — which may have led the women to believe they were prohibited from talking to law enforcement about their assaults — Olmedo had violated the First Amendment.
Masterson's trial will go forward on August 29. He 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.
The actor's legal team argued that Judge Charlaine F. Olmedo, who had limited cross-examination of Masterson's three rape accusers back in May 2021, erred when considering the tenets of Introduction to Scientology Ethics in her ruling to send the actor to trial, Rolling Stone reports.
Los Angeles County Judge Ronald S. Coen upheld Olmedo's ruling yesterday, stating, "I find that the testimony of [the alleged victims] is credible, and I believe it's sufficient to support the charges ... There is sufficient evidence to deny the [dismissal motion], and it's denied."
Masteron's legal team previously argued that in trying to resolve "inconsistencies" in the accusers' stories "by interpreting [Scientology] church doctrine" — which may have led the women to believe they were prohibited from talking to law enforcement about their assaults — Olmedo had violated the First Amendment.
Masterson's trial will go forward on August 29. He 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.
