• ᴇᴍᴘᴇʀᴏʀ 帝@feddit.uk
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    1 year ago

    The case was closely watched not only because it involved a Hollywood star on trial in the #MeToo era but also because two of the women had accused the Church of Scientology, to which they also belonged, of discouraging them from reporting the rapes to the authorities. The church denied that it pressured the victims.

    It feels like this may be the larger story. I wonder if it’ll embolden other Scientologists to come forward.

    • Piers@beehaw.org
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      1 year ago

      They also allegedly killed the dogs of one of the victims in an attempt to silence her.

        • bipmi@beehaw.org
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          1 year ago

          Tbh I dont know why anyone would think there are no depths scientologists would go to. Its a sham religion entirely made to drain resources from its members into the pockets of the hierarchy of the “church”. Its basically a criminal enterprise and should be treated as one

    • xyzzy@lemm.ee
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      Court documents also said that Masterson had raped another woman, identified as Jen B., in April 2003 after he gave her a drink. Jen B., who sought the church’s permission to report the rape, later received a written response from the church’s international chief justice that cited a 1965 policy letter, which for her raised concerns she could be ousted from her family and friends if she reported a fellow Scientologist to the police.

      Imagine demanding that someone give up that much control over their own life and autonomy.

      However, she should be commended for overcoming her fear:

      Still, she reported the rape in 2004.

      • ᴇᴍᴘᴇʀᴏʀ 帝@feddit.uk
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        1 year ago

        However, she should be commended for overcoming her fear

        Reporting a rape and seeing it through court is especially hard at the best of times - in a high profile case, while battling against the will of.your Church adds whole new levels of difficulty to it.

        • kraftpudding@lemmy.world
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          Especially if that “church” is the Cult of Scientology, which are famous for ruining people’s lives if they’re considered a “supressive person”

    • aeternum@kbin.social
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      1 year ago

      that’s a minimum of 30 years. he might not get out. He’s doing 30 to life. There’s a chance he won’t make parole, if he even makes it that far.

      • hypnotoad__@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        Technical not eligible for parole until 25.5 years. So he will still be in his own 70s show. But yeah, he’s fucked

  • Empricorn@feddit.nl
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    1 year ago

    When he was accused, and then when his lawyers delayed everything, people told me to withhold judgement… Well, fuck rapists, and fuck them too.

    • Polar@lemmy.ca
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      I mean it’s always best to withhold judgement until things are over. It wouldn’t have changed your life if you waited.

      • Takatakatakatakatak@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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        1 year ago

        It’s fucking gross.

        I’ve no idea how they convince themselves they’re going to get away with this sort of shit.

        If that is their thing, I’m sure they could find any number of people willing to play around with consensual non consent instead of destroying someone.

    • Mog_fanatic@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      I’m certainly no expert and a self admitted dumbass but I always assumed it was something along the lines of these people get rich and famous, get used to being able to get whatever they want, anytime they want it. Everyone around them tells them they’re the shit. Girls (or guys) are falling all over them. But then they find the one thing they want but can’t have… And then they kinda just have to have it cause they get everything they want, why would this be any different. So they take it.

  • magnetosphere @beehaw.org
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    1 year ago

    You have to be MUCH more rich and famous before you can get away with stuff like this. Didn’t he read the Celebrity Handbook?

    Good riddance.

  • SokathHisEyesOpen@lemmy.ml
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    Don’t rapists usually get about 7 years in prison? Does anyone know why he was sentenced to up to life in prison when more brutal rapists who aren’t rich and famous have received much shorter punishments?

    • JokeDeity@lemm.ee
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      1 year ago

      What I saw on another thread was something about California passing minimum sentencing laws for rape, they specifically said it was a reaction to the small time given to Brock Turner, but I don’t have sources for any of that, just what another comment I read said.

    • Orbituary@lemmy.world
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      Not exactly fair to the dozens of NOT RAPISTS on the show. Yes, this shit bag should suffer… Why should his co-stars suffer because of his actions?

  • AutoTL;DR@lemmings.worldB
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    1 year ago

    This is the best summary I could come up with:


    Judge Charlaine F. Olmedo of Los Angeles Superior Court handed the sentence down after hearing statements from the women, who described the lasting impact of Masterson’s actions on their lives.

    “Justice was finally served today,” he said, noting that one of his top priorities was to ensure “Los Angeles will no longer be a hunting ground for Hollywood elite who feel entitled to prey on women.”

    “Though we have great respect for the jury, and for our system of justice, sometimes they get it wrong — and that’s what happened here,” Holley said, noting that Masterson maintains his innocence.

    The case was closely watched not only because it involved a Hollywood star on trial in the #MeToo era but also because two of the women had accused the Church of Scientology, to which they also belonged, of discouraging them from reporting the rapes to the authorities.

    That officer told her, according to the documents, “You can’t rape someone that you’re in a relationship with” and “Don’t say that word again.” In May, the jury deadlocked on the charge related to her accusation.

    “Despite persistent harassment, obstruction and intimidation, these courageous women helped hold a ruthless sexual predator accountable today,” Anderson said.


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