Cohen emphasised The dearth of any physical proof of drugging, Together with the investigation that led to Masterson’s arrest coming some 15 yrs after the alleged rapes.
Through this afternoon, and before the lunch split, Masterson and protection co-counsel Shawn Holley sat in the protection desk with their eyes locked on Cohen on one other aspect with the courtroom before the jury.
The l. a. County jury of seven Females and 5 Gentlemen went dwelling Friday with no reaching a verdict on any in the a few counts of rape from the forty seven-year-previous, who could get up to 45 many years in jail if convicted of all 3.
Karin Pouw, the church’s guide spokeswoman, dismissed your complete ordeal as an make an effort to tie the church on the felony scenario.
Centering on ”what the drinking designs were being,” just how much the alleged victims really needed to drink plus the toxicology skilled’s testimony lacking a forensic Assessment, Cohen Once more flipped the script about the reliability of your victims.
“The church has no policy prohibiting or discouraging users from reporting prison perform of anybody, Scientologists or not, to law enforcement,” based on the statement.
claimed she made an effort to halt Masterson from doing that and fought again, resulting in the actor placing her and forcing himself on her when she frequently mentioned “no” and resisted.
In early Oct 2022, the Supreme Court denied Scientology’s petition to take up the case after a California appellate court docket earlier this year dominated that the ex-church members experienced a First Amendment right not to be held for the stipulations of the spiritual organization once they had left it.
“Pass up Anson offered a situation as though she was arguing a drugging situation,” Cohen stated. “Perhaps it’s since there is not any proof of drive or violence.”
“Very the opposite, church coverage explicitly calls for Scientologists abide by all legal guidelines from the land. All allegations to the contrary are completely Untrue.”
From the actor's first demo, article source extended deliberations led to a mistrial in December, when jurors couldn't come to consensus on any counts. A bulk voted to acquit him on Every. A retrial commenced in April.
Prosecutors are anticipated to accomplish their rebuttal of Cohen’s closing on Wednesday early morning, and afterwards the situation are going to be turned in excess of on the jury.
With a relentless banging within the walls distracting the packed courtroom, Deputy District Attorney Ariel Anson concluded her forceful 80-moment closing argument before today after the morning crack and prior to the court docket broke for lunch.
Defense attorney Philip Kent Cohen experienced urged jurors throughout his closing argument to acquit his shopper, questioning the trustworthiness in the alleged victims.