in an announcement at time. “I have never been charged with a crime, let alone convicted of 1. With this country, you're presumed harmless till tested guilty. Nevertheless, in The present weather, it seems as When you are presumed responsible The instant you might be accused.”

They deliberated for around three and a 50 % hrs right before going residence, without asking any queries or supplying an indication of how conversations had been heading. They resume Thursday morning.

Actor Leah Remini, a former member in the church who has become one among its most well known public opponents, sat within the courtroom, her arm all over among the accusers, who testified for the duration of each trials that Masterson raped her in 2003.

Scientology played an outsized purpose during the trial. Masterson is often a member, and all three women are previous customers. Prosecutors claimed the institution protected him, and assisted influence the Ladies which they weren't raped and will not check out authorities to report a fellow Scientologist in good standing. The church denied owning any this sort of coverage.

“It’s all about money, they wish to sue for revenue” or get “revenge” within the Church of Scientology, explained deputy district legal professional Reinhold Mueller later during the day in reaction inside the prosecution’s ultimate closing argument. “Women and gentleman, don’t be fooled,” the prosecutor extra in a relaxed but steely voice.  

Though the protection has tried out time and again to erase just as much reference to Scientology as possible during the legal case – the David Miscavige-led church just isn't a defendant- the church, its procedures and its purpose check out this tutorial in protecting against the 3 Jane Does from initially going to law enforcement has become a substantial-profile presence in equally trials.

Jurors have asked to the reading back again of some testimony — such as Element of the cross-examination of Masterson's former girlfriend, who is probably the three accusers. Although the requests have drop tiny mild over the condition of deliberations.

“It’s not the legislation,” the deputy D.A. informed the jurors of the Scientology ethics officer’s meant response to Christina B’s claims that Masterson anally raped her and she or he had to Allow the issue be taken care of internally.

With that first trial resulting in a deadlocked jury very last November, you click here can begin to see the logic of that. Why ought to the “don’t choose my term for it” repeating Cohen consider now to reinvent the wheel if he can attain an analogous stop for his consumer this time?

I went off script for the next handful of hrs. Normally we float rapidly throughout the first mile or so and start fishing earnestly at the first deep drinking water we come upon. This time I exited the canoe at the first bend and walked.

The Los Angeles County jury of 7 Ladies and 5 Gentlemen went home Friday with no reaching a verdict on any of your a few counts of rape against the forty seven-12 months-old, who could rise up to 45 years in jail if convicted of all a few.

Prosecutors mentioned in their closing argument Tuesday that Masterson drugged the Girls in order to assault them, then relied on his position like a notable member while in the Church of Scientology to stop implications for many years.

Prosecutors verified in January which they desired to retry the actor, plus the choose turned down a protection energy to get the costs dismissed.

Defense lawyer Philip Kent Cohen had urged jurors through his closing argument to acquit his customer, questioning the reliability from the alleged victims.