Danny Masterson’s attorneys back in court in rape case today while he’s in Wyoming

 
[UPDATE: Masterson’s demurrer was overruled by Judge Eleanor J. Hunter, and arraignment has now been set for Nov. 2]

Danny Masterson’s attorneys will be in a Los Angeles criminal court this morning for his arraignment on rape charges, which was delayed last month.

If you remember the video of that previous court hearing, Masterson delayed entering a plea by filing a “demurrer,” a legalistic rejection of criminal charges. In the demurrer, his attorneys Tom Mesereau and Sharon Appelbaum argue that the three counts of forcible rape which he’s been charged with took place too long ago — 2001 to 2003 — to be within the statue of limitations, and so the case should be dropped.

But Assistant District Attorney Reinhold Mueller responded that the three cases are being charged under California’s “One Strike Law,” which is why Masterson is facing a possible sentence of 45 to life. And because the penalty is potentially a life sentence, by law the DA’s office can charge Masterson at any time, no matter how many years have passed.

Judge Miguel Espinoza is scheduled to rule on the demurrer this morning, and Mesereau indicated at the last hearing that if Espinoza overrules the demurrer, then Masterson will enter a not guilty plea.

Also at that previous appearance Masterson waived his right to be present for this hearing and we don’t expect him to be in court today.

In fact, yesterday at his Instagram account Masterson posted a photo of himself and his daughter from Wyoming, captioning it, “The #grandtetons do not suck.”

Scientologists Kate Ceberano and Denice Duff responded with expressions of approval. And Masterson also received this endorsement from actress Taryn Manning, who played “Pennsatucky” on the series Orange is the New Black…

 
As far as we know, Manning is not a Scientologist.

The court hearing is scheduled for 8:30 am Los Angeles time, and we hope to get reports from an observer in the courtroom.

[UPDATE: Jeffrey Augustine was in the courtroom for us this morning, and he watched as Judge Eleanor J. Hunter overruled Masterson’s demurrer. Arraignment has now been set for November 2, but once again Masterson himself will not have to be in the courtroom to enter his not guilty plea.]

 
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Bonus items from our tipsters

It’s that time of year again!

 
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In July the Australian Seven News network cancelled at the last minute a ten-part nightly news in-depth investigation of the Church of Scientology and its history of dirty tricks operations. All ten episodes have now been leaked to the Internet, and we’ve collected all ten links in one place. Judge for yourself why Tom Cruise and Tommy Davis might not have wanted viewers to see this hard-hitting series by journalist Bryan Seymour.

 
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SCIENTOLOGY: FAIR GAME

After the success of their double-Emmy-winning, three-season A&E series ‘Scientology and the Aftermath,’ Leah Remini and Mike Rinder continue the conversation on their podcast, ‘Scientology: Fair Game.’ We’ve created a landing page where you can hear all of the episodes so far.

 
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Source Code

“The Eighth Dynamic is really infinity stood upright. And it simply means infinity. Now, you can come along and say, ‘Well, you also mean the Supreme Being?’ No, we don’t particularly mean the Supreme Being. How do we know that you aren’t, collectively, the Supreme Being. See? That’s probably much more closer to truth. There are gods around of various kinds. There are some wind gods over in India; there are various savage gods of one kind or another. But if you give them a good quizzing you find out that they’re just a thetan and they behave most remarkably like you would if you hadn’t thought that you ought to lay aside all the power you had, too.” — L. Ron Hubbard, October 19, 1954

 
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Overheard in the FreeZone

“Scientology is a religion that the government has been trying to ban for ages because it creates independent thinkers. Kinda like Joe Rogan’s podcast, it wakes people up to mainstream media lies.”

 
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Past is Prologue

1998: Reuters and the Associated Press reported that key documents have disappeared from French government offices in Scientology-related matters. “A French lawyer pressing fraud charges against the Church of Scientology said on Wednesday that important documents in the case had gone missing and appealed to the Justice Ministry to find out what had happened to them. Olivier Morice, representing plaintiffs who charge that Scientologists illegally posed as doctors, said 1-1/2 volumes were missing from the 10-volume mass of evidence.”

 
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Random Howdy

“A day without Kirstie is like a day without donuts.”

 
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Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker

Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Demurrer filed by Masterson, arraignment delayed to November 2.
— Jay and Jeff Spina, Medicare fraud: Jay’s sentencing is set for October 29 in White Plains, NY. Jeffrey’s is set for October 24.
— Hanan and Rizza Islam and other family members, Medi-Cal fraud: Next pretrial conference set for Jan 12 in Los Angeles

Civil litigation:
— Luis and Rocio Garcia v. Scientology: Oral arguments were heard on July 30 at the Eleventh Circuit
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’ Petition for a writ of mandate filed with Cal 2nd Appellate District, Sept 10.
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson: Oct 26 (motions to compel arbitration)
— Matt and Kathy Feschbach tax debt: Eleventh Circuit ruled on Sept 9 that Feshbachs can’t discharge IRS debt in bankruptcy. Oct 19: Feshbachs still considering further appellate relief.
— Brian Statler Sr v. City of Inglewood: Second amended complaint filed, trial set for Nov 9, 2021.
— Author Steve Cannane defamation trial: Trial concluded, awaiting verdict.

Concluded litigation:
— Dennis Nobbe, Medicare fraud, PPP loan fraud: Charged July 29. Bond revoked Sep 14. Nobbe dead, Sep 14.
— Jane Doe v. Scientology (in Miami): Jane Doe dismissed the lawsuit on May 15 after the Clearwater Police dropped their criminal investigation of her allegations.

 
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Scientology’s celebrities, ‘Ideal Orgs,’ and more!

We’ve been building landing pages about David Miscavige’s favorite playthings, including celebrities and ‘Ideal Orgs,’ and we’re hoping you’ll join in and help us gather as much information as we can about them. Head on over and help us with links and photos and comments.

Scientology’s celebrities, from A to Z! Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!

Scientology’s ‘Ideal Orgs,’ from one end of the planet to the other! Help us build up pages about each these worldwide locations!

Scientology’s sneaky front groups, spreading the good news about L. Ron Hubbard while pretending to benefit society!

Scientology Lit: Books reviewed or excerpted in our weekly series. How many have you read?

 
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THE WHOLE TRACK

[ONE year ago] Let’s help Scientology actor Danny Masterson name his new wine venture
[TWO years ago] Richest Scientologist in the world is one of the donors behind offensive Arkansas radio ad
[THREE years ago] Raid in Hungary: Scientology’s Cold War tactics are colliding with 21st Century data privacy
[FOUR years ago] Scientology’s biggest lie: That it will teach you to take control of your own life
[FIVE years ago] Would you buy a used car from this man? Scientology and refunds — a primer
[SIX years ago] Marty Rathbun on being ambushed at LAX by raving Scientologists: ‘It was insane’
[SEVEN years ago] SCIENTOLOGY DROPS A BOMB ON MONIQUE RATHBUN’S HARASSMENT LAWSUIT
[EIGHT years ago] When L. Ron Hubbard Rocked the World: The OT 8 Release!
[NINE years ago] Scientology’s “Disconnection:” Lori Hodgson, Ex-Church Member, Kept from Scientologist Son After Serious Wreck
[TWELVE years ago] Tom Cruise and Oprah at Katie’s Play: A Review

 
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Posted by Tony Ortega on October 19, 2020 at 07:00

E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter. We also post updates at our Facebook author page. After every new story we send out an alert to our e-mail list and our FB page.

Our new book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is now on sale at Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Our book about Paulette, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.

The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2019 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2019), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)

Other links: BLOGGING DIANETICS: Reading Scientology’s founding text cover to cover | UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists | GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice | SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts | Shelly Miscavige, 14 years gone | The Lisa McPherson story told in real time | The Cathriona White stories | The Leah Remini ‘Knowledge Reports’ | Hear audio of a Scientology excommunication | Scientology’s little day care of horrors | Whatever happened to Steve Fishman? | Felony charges for Scientology’s drug rehab scam | Why Scientology digs bomb-proof vaults in the desert | PZ Myers reads L. Ron Hubbard’s “A History of Man” | Scientology’s Master Spies | The mystery of the richest Scientologist and his wayward sons | Scientology’s shocking mistreatment of the mentally ill | The Underground Bunker’s Official Theme Song | The Underground Bunker FAQ

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