Danny Masterson has been ordered to face trial for 3 counts of rape following accusations from three ladies, together with an ex-girlfriend.
A Los Angeles choose issued the ruling on Friday, Might 21, throughout a preliminary listening to that started earlier this week, throughout which the accusers testified in opposition to him, E! Information confirmed. The ladies have accused the That ’70s Show actor of raping them in separate incidents in 2001 and 2003.
This previous January, Masterson, 45, pleaded not guilty to three counts of rape by pressure or worry. His lawyer mentioned the actor had consensual intercourse with the ladies and that he would show his shopper’s innocence, the Associated Press reported. If convicted of all costs, Masterson faces as much as 45 years in jail.
On Tuesday, Might 18, Masterson appeared in court for the preliminary hearing. The actor is a distinguished Scientologist and the accusers are former Scientologists. Throughout the listening to, his lawyer repeatedly challenged the ladies about their testimonies and in addition advised in the course of the proceedings that the prosecution was tainted by anti-religious bias in opposition to the church, the Related Press reported.
