Scientology Invoked as Danny Masterson Rape Trial Begins: ‘They Can Declare You a Suppressive Person’
variety.comGene Maddaus Senior Media Writer Scientology was front and center on Tuesday as the rape trial against “That ’70s Show” actor Danny Masterson began with opening statements.
Masterson is a Scientologist and each of his alleged victims was a Scientologist at the time of the alleged rapes, which span from 2001 to 2003.
Reinhold Mueller, the lead prosecutor, made several references in his opening statement to church terminology and practices in explaining why two of the accusers delayed reporting to the police. “They can declare you a suppressive person,” Mueller said. “You are essentially an enemy of the church.
Your friends, your parents — if you have children who are part of the church — they all have to detach from you. Essentially you lose everything.” The role of Scientology has been hotly contested in pre-trial proceedings.
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