Danny Masteron Judge Declares Mistrial After Hung Jury
11/30/2022 3:41 PM PT
'70s Show' Star Danny Masterson Rape Case Declared Mistrial After Hung Jury
"That '70s Show" actor Danny Masterson's rape trial has been declared a mistrial after a hung jury.
www.tmz.com
Danny Masterson's rape trial has come to an end ... a judge has declared a mistrial after a hung jury.
Masterson was in a Los Angeles courtroom Wednesday waiting to hear a verdict, when the jury announced it deadlocked. The judge then declared a mistrial.
The jury began deliberations 2 weeks ago after 4 weeks of testimony from alleged victims. They had a break because of Thanksgiving, and two jurors were replaced on Monday with alternates after testing positive for COVID.
It's unclear if prosecutors will decide to try the actor again.
He was facing a maximum sentence of 45 to life behind bars if found guilty of the charges.
As we reported, Masterson was charged back in 2020 with 3 counts of rape, with the alleged victims claiming the incidents occurred between 2001 and 2003 ... right in the middle of the run of his sitcom, "That '70s Show."
Masterson's attorney, Tom Mesereau, told TMZ at the time ... "Mr. Masterson is innocent, and we’re confident that he will be exonerated when all the evidence finally comes to light and witnesses have the opportunity to testify."
The actor pled not guilty to the charges ... and while he never testified in his own defense, he and his legal team maintained that the incidents either didn't happen or were consensual.
