That 70s Show actor Danny Masterson's lawyer denies and denounces rape charges
That 70s Show actor Danny Masterson, charged with raping three women, made his first advent on Fri (Sep 18) in a Los Angeles courtroom, where his attorney alleged his innocence and denounced the charges confronting him as "politicised".
Masterson, 44, who has been free on bail since his June arrest, stood in court in a blue suit and face mask next to attorneys Tom Mesereau and Sharon Appelbaum, as the three women sat in the gallery.
Masterson did not enter a plea but Mesereau said the charges, based on events about 20 years quondam, were the result of unfair hype from media outlets and pressure to prosecute his client equally Los Angeles County Commune Attorney Jackie Lacey faces an election.
"There have been repeated attempts to politicise this case," said Mesereau, who besides represented Bill Cosby and Michael Jackson in their sexual misconduct cases. "He is absolutely not guilty and we're going to bear witness it."
Deputy District Attorney Reinhold Mueller called the statements "pure speculation, with no basis in fact".
Mesereau spoke equally the judge was considering media requests to allow media cameras in court, which he canonical.
Mesereau argued that the media presence would be unfairly prejudicial to Masterson and taint potential jurors.
"We want to practise anything we can to tone down the cameras and the circus-similar atmosphere that have pervaded this case," the attorney said. "We're just trying to protect his rights."
Superior Courtroom Judge Miguel Espinoza also denied a asking from the defense for a protective order sealing case files and preventing police force, prosecutors and potential witnesses from revealing example information to the media, but said he would reconsider similar request after.
The defense has filed documents asking the criminal complaint against Masterson be thrown out as insufficient. A hearing on the event will exist held before Masterson is asked to enter a plea.
Masterson'southward arrest came after a three-year investigation that resulted in the rare prosecution of a famous Hollywood figure in the #MeToo era. Despite dozens of investigations, virtually have led to no charges based on the lack of show or too much time passing.
About 20 friends and supporters accompanied Masterson to court, continuing in the courthouse hall with him as he awaited the hearing, only just a few were allowed inside the courtroom because of coronavirus distancing requirements.
He spoke only to answer "yes" to the gauge's questions.
Masterson is charged with three counts of rape by force or fear. Prosecutors allege that he raped a 23-twelvemonth-former adult female quondam in 2001, a 28-year-old adult female in April of 2003, and a 23-year-former woman between October and December of 2003. Prosecutors said all of the alleged attacks happened in his abode.
He could confront to 45 years in prison house if convicted.
Neither Masterson and his attorneys nor the three women spoke to reporters exterior of court.
The women, who are not named in the charging documents, said in a statement through their attorneys when Masterson was arrested that they had suffered "harassment, embarrassment and re-victimisation" since they began cooperating with authorities and that they are "thankful that the Los Angeles County District Attorney's part is finally seeking criminal justice".
The declared rapes came at the height of Masterson'south fame every bit he starred as Steven Hyde on the ensemble retro sitcom That 70s Show, alongside Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis and Topher Grace. The series ran on Trick Television receiver from 1998 to 2006 and has had a long afterlife in reruns.
He was removed from the Netflix show The Ranch in 2022 over the allegations that would eventually lead to the charges.
Source: https://cnalifestyle.channelnewsasia.com/entertainment/that-70s-show-actor-danny-masterson-lawyer-denies-rape-charges-191851
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