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Celebrities like Lisa Marie Presley may testify in the Danny Masterson rape trial
Plenty of Hollywood stars associated with Scientology could testify during the rape trial of “That ’70’s Show” actor Danny Masterson in Los Angeles.
On the prosecution’s witnesses list was Elvis’ daughter Lisa Marie Presley – who turned away from the controversial religion in 2014 – and others who passed, including ex-wife of “My Name Is Earl” star Jason Lee, Carmen Llywelyn, who said she still has nightmares about the church.
Actress Brie Shaffer, wife of actor Michael Peña and once Masterson’s personal assistant, is also on the indictment list, according to the website Underground bunker.
The daughter of actress Cheryl Ladd, Jordan, and celebrity attorney Marty Singer may also be summoned to the stand.
The jury’s selection continued this week by the Los Angeles Supreme Court attended by Masterson, 46, who appeared in a gray suit.
Masterson, a prominent Scientologist, faces three counts of violent rape in the incidents that allegedly occurred between 2001 and 2003.
If convicted on all charges, he faces a prison sentence of up to 45 years to life.
The three women who accused Masterson of sexual assault took a stand in the May 2021 initial hearing and described how they said church officials silenced them.
One of the three victims said Masterson raped her while she was unconscious. She claimed church leaders told her to write that she would take responsibility for the alleged 2001 attack.
Presley has been speculated to be the “Lisa” mentioned by Jane Doe 1 in her testimony at the preliminary hearing.
“My friend Lisa had someone named Luke who lived and worked with her, who was close to Danny… Luke Watson,” Jane Doe testified.
Watson and Presley had a romantic relationship and were part of a friendship group close to Masterson and Jane Doe 1, according to Underground Bunker.
Jane Doe 1 claimed that Masterson forcibly raped her on April 25, 2003. She testified that she was in the jacuzzi with Watson and Masterson when she felt sick and wanted to vomit, so Masterson took her home.
Jane Doe 1 then testified that Masterson put a finger deep down her throat and helped her throw up before being sexually assaulted in the bathroom.
She said Masterson begged her not to tell anyone about the incident, including her friend “Lisa.”
While Los Angeles County Supreme Court Justice Charlaine Olmedo was adamant, the proceedings did not “become a Scientology trial,” as a religion, the judge said she would allow some testimony about the group’s practices if she had played a role in delaying prosecutors from reporting alleged incidents in the police.