After deliberating for more than a week without reaching a verdict in the retrial of actor Danny Masterson for rape, the jury will have to recommence deliberations after the holiday weekend.
The Los Angeles County jury of seven women and five men disbanded on Friday without reaching a verdict on any of the three counts of rape against the 47-year-old That ’70s Show actor.
Masterson faces up to 45 years in prison if found guilty of all three charges.
The jury was awarded the case when closing arguments concluded on May 17.
With time off, they have been speaking for a total of six and a half days and have asked the judge relatively few queries.
Jurors have requested the reading back of some testimony, including a portion of Masterson’s ex-girlfriend’s cross-examination, who is one of the three accusers.
Following the weekend, Memorial Day, and another scheduled day off, the jury will return to court on Wednesday morning.
In December, lengthy deliberations in the actor’s first trial resulted in a mistrial, as the jury was unable to reach a verdict on any counts. On each count, a majority of voters found him not guilty. A new trial commenced in April.
Prosecutors allege that Masterson drugged and violated three women, including a former long-term companion, at his residence in the Hollywood area between 2001 and 2003, when he was at the height of his popularity as the star of the Fox sitcom That ’70s Show.
Masterson has entered a not-guilty plea.
The defense argued that he had consensual sexual relations with the women and attempted to discredit their testimony by highlighting inconsistencies.