Danny Masterson’s lawyers make ‘unwanted contact’ with jurors: report

In 2023, disgraced Show of the 70s actor Danny Masterson was condemned on two counts of aggravated rape. Now his attorneys are allegedly making “unwanted contact” with jurors in that trial, allegedly showing up at their homes and workplaces.

According to Rolling StoneA new lawsuit filed by Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney Reinhold Mueller alleges that Masterson’s legal team contacted several jurors. He called these acts “neither intended nor (they were) done at a reasonable time and place as required.” In the same statement, he asked the court to hold a full hearing on the matter “to consider imposing sanctions, if appropriate, for any unwelcome, aggressive or otherwise inappropriate conduct by members of the defense team.”

As Mueller reported, jurors felt anxious after the face-to-face betting because their identifying information was withheld by the court during the trial. Jurors also say the defense team failed to make it clear they had the right not to discuss the case.

The filing came after Judge Charlene Olmedo, who presided over the 2023 trial, sent a letter to both legal teams outlining the jurors’ concerns. After detailing the jurors’ claims, she said the court was “concerned that they were approached at home” and issued an order that any future contact with the jurors first go through the court clerk.

In response to Judge Olmedo’s order and Mueller’s statement to the court, Shawn Holley, one of Masterson’s former defense attorneys, filed a statement in court saying that she did meet with several members of the jury, but that the meetings were “friendly, cordial and frank.” She claimed to have found one juror’s email online and then arranged to meet at a restaurant, which the juror agreed to. Holly said that at that meeting, she received information about other former jurors, which led to two others also agreeing to meet at the restaurant.

Holley also claimed that every juror she met with “indicated that I could contact them again if I had further questions and/or wanted to meet again” and that she was “confident” that her actions were not “unwanted, offensive.” , or otherwise improper.” She also said she had no further contact with the jury members.

Notably, Masterson is a member of the Church of Scientology, an organization that has proven unafraid to use tactics that border and often cross the line of intimidation. As can be seen from such documentaries Going Clearthe church allegedly has a history of harassing, blackmailing and threatening those it considers its enemies.

In 2020, At the Drive-In and Mars Volta member Cedric Bixler-Zavala even stated that Scientologists poisoned his dog. Bixler-Zavala went on to say that he and his wife, Chrissy Carnell Bixler, one of the women who accused Masterson of rape, were the focus of targeted pursuit as a result of the statement.

Masterson’s relationships with other celebrities, especially those associated with or affiliated with the Church of Scientology, continue to make headlines throughout Hollywood. Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis drew criticism for supporting Masterson during the trial and Linkin Park’s new lead singer, Emily Armstrong faced scrutiny for her ties to Masterson and Scientology earlier this year.

Masterson is currently serving a prison sentence 30 years to live. After the conviction, he and his legal team appealed.