When the Danny Masterson trial began, both sides issued witness lists that we publicized on October 13. The list for the prosecution included 13 members of law enforcement, 22 civilians, and 1 expert.
Of those, the prosecution actually called 4 members of law enforcement, 9 civilians, and 1 expert during the trial.
Among the witnesses not called by the prosecution was a former Scientologist by the name of Damian Perkins.
We were very surprised that Perkins was not called, because he was a percipient witness — a rarity in this case — which refers to someone who actually saw or experienced something that was directly related to the allegations against Masterson.
We have obtained a detailed witness statement written by Perkins for the LAPD which explains why his testimony could have helped corroborate Jane Doe 1’s allegations of what happened in the early hours of April 25, 2003 at Masterson’s house. (Of the three named victims, Jane Doe 1’s count of forcible rape received only two votes for guilty and 10 for not guilty by the deadlocked jury.)
We thought you would want to see the witness statement by Perkins, and to consider what effect his testimony might have had on this jury. (We have lightly edited a few words in the statement for clarity and to protect Jane Doe 1’s identity.)
The following is my witness statement regarding an incident that occurred on the night of April 25th, 2003 to the best of my knowledge and recollection.
I had gone out earlier in the evening to a nightclub and ended up around 1:30 a.m. at my former friend Danny Masterson’s house for an after-party. As I recall Danny Masterson was DJing at his house as he had on other nights I had been there. We were having a good time as the night progressed. The party had many Scientologists in attendance. (As a side note, I have not been a Scientologist for the past six-plus years. And in fact have been the subject of several vicious and slanderous attacks by Scientologists in an attempt to silence me and ruin my life for speaking out against them.)
At some point my friend [Jane Doe 1] showed up and we said hi briefly to each other. [Jane Doe 1] and I were very close friends. The beginning of what happened was at the pool: Danny yelled at [Jane Doe 1] and everyone “[Jane Doe 1’s] going in the pool!” He then pushed her into his jacuzzi. [Jane Doe 1] had only had one drink and although I did not see Danny make it, she clearly remembers that he made her a drink in a red cup and she drank part of it before he shoved her into the jacuzzi. This happened in the backyard.
She got out of the pool and I went over as well to make sure she was cool. There were about 10 to 15 people out back, if I recall correctly. She was a little quiet and irritated. I was irritated toward Danny that he had done that to her. I asked to get a towel but rather quickly Danny had brought her one and wrapped it around her (Luke Watson and Danny sort of got in between her and me physically to take over). Danny said he was going to take her upstairs and help her dry off, and myself and a couple others were like “whoa.” We were just teasing him as never in a million years would we have thought that he would do anything to her. Danny said “No! it’s not like that, I would never do anything, she’s my homie.”
Danny picked her up and began to bring her upstairs. I remember she was resisting but she just seemed a bit drunk and out of it at that point. Again, I was just thinking that Danny was going to dry her off and get her some fresh clothes. I didn’t think anything more about it as I knew she was in good hands and I continued hanging out with people at the party.
At some point about an hour or an hour and a half later, I recall seeing [Jane Doe 1], who came up to me (I remember being in the living room, I think I was talking to Jimmy Debello). She said, “Oh my God, Danny just raped me.”
Her hair was still a bit wet and she had bare feet. I remember feeling shocked and then Luke Watson saying, “No, that’s not what happened!”
I was very concerned as she was loopy. I asked what was wrong with her. Luke and someone else said “We think someone ‘roofied’ her at the club.” I remember trying to help her as well as get her some water in the kitchen, and she was sort of stumbling around and Luke and Danny wanted to get her back upstairs. I thought to myself “That makes sense why she’s acting so weird.” They didn’t want me to interfere though, and I remember thinking that they would get her back upstairs and she would sleep it off and be better. Again, the thought never entered my mind that Danny would have or could have raped her right there at the party, especially with people downstairs. And especially not to [Jane Doe 1].
This all happened very fast, but Danny had her by the waist and was dragging her back upstairs. She was screaming and yelling at him “Get the fuck off me! Get the fuck off me!” and cursing at him. I remember myself and others kind of yelling up toward her, “[Jane Doe 1], it’s OK. Calm down, he’s going to take care of you,” and other things. And in my mind I remember thinking how messed up it was that somebody would have drugged her at the club.
As best I can recall after that she quieted down and I didn’t hear anything from her. I stayed and hung out for another 45 minutes or so and was again in the living room with Jimmy when I heard somebody wanting to get in the gate into the house. (It was Brie Shaffer, apparently.) Danny came downstairs. I remember he had his shirt off and he and Luke yell-whispered at us: “Don’t let her in! Don’t fucking let her in!”
I literally laughed as I didn’t understand why they were being so dramatic. I remember then leaving the drama in the living room to go to the backyard and smoke again. After a short while I recall being asked to leave. There were literally only three or four of us at this point. I remember Brie escorting me, walking down the front steps and leaving. I remember still being concerned about [Jane Doe 1]. Not that she had been raped! Again that was not a thought in my mind. But that she had been drugged. I knew that she was OK though and was sleeping it off. I assumed Luke and Danny were caring for her.
The next day I tried to call her several times and her phone was off. I believe the day after that I was called in to the Celebrity Centre and told by the Ethics Officer in no uncertain terms that Danny had not done anything to [Jane Doe 1] and that she had simply drunk too much and somebody roofied her drink. That was 100 percent acceptable to me at the time. I was a hardcore Scientologist and what they say you believed and followed unconditionally. And they told me that she was doing ethics handlings to help her.
I didn’t think much more about it other than I missed [Jane Doe 1] as I did not see her for many months after that night. I finally did see her again about a year afterwards and we stayed friends and started to go out and spent time as friends together. We never talked about that night though. However, that night has haunted me and bugged me for years and recently more aggressively I sought to find [Jane Doe 1].
About a year and 3 months ago I spoke with Danny Masterson’s ex-girlfriend [Jane Doe 3]. She asked me about something unrelated and she didn’t really know my friend [Jane Doe 1]. I said to her out of the blue that I believed that Danny had raped [Jane Doe 1] and asked if he’d done something like that to her. She freaked out and said “Oh my God he did that to me all the time and used to beat the shit out of me!” That began a snowball effect and here we are.
— Damian Perkins
As Perkins indicates at the end of his statement, his chance conversation with Jane Doe 3 did begin the process of the Jane Does learning about each other, which then led to their going to the LAPD in 2016. There’s even more to the story of how Perkins helped these women find each other, and we’re hoping to be able to tell that story soon.
——————–
In case you missed this…
Yes, we’re still in Los Angeles (for the moment), and we’re still causing trouble…
——————–
Technology Cocktail
“The sensation of pain is actually a sensation of loss. It is a loss of beingness, a loss of position and awareness. Therefore, when one loses anything, he has a tendency to perceive less, for there is less to perceive. Something has withdrawn from him without his consent. This would be the definition of loss. This brings about eventually a condition of darkness. This could also be called an ARC break. If he has lost something, the guilty party is probably in the other two universes.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1953
——————–
THE PROSECUTION OF DANNY MASTERSON
We first broke the news of the LAPD’s investigation of Scientology celebrity Danny Masterson on rape allegations in 2017, and we’ve been covering the story every step of the way since then. At this page we’ve collected our most important links as Danny faces a potential sentence of 45 years to life in prison. NOW WITH TRIAL INDEX.
——————–
THE PODCAST: How many have you heard?
— The Underground Bunker Podcast
[1] Marc Headley [2] Claire Headley [3] Jeffrey Augustine [4] Bruce Hines [5] Sunny Pereira [6] Pete Griffiths [7] Geoff Levin [8] Patty Moher [9] Marc Headley [10] Jefferson Hawkins [11] Michelle ‘Emma’ Ryan [12] Paulette Cooper [13] Jesse Prince [14] Mark Bunker [15] Jon Atack [16] Mirriam Francis [17] Bruce Hines on MSH
— SPECIAL: The best TV show on Scientology you never got to see
[1] Phil Jones [2] Derek Bloch [3] Carol Nyburg [4] Katrina Reyes [5] Jamie DeWolf
— SPECIAL: Your Proprietor’s updates on the Danny Masterson trial
[1] Sep 21 [2] Sep 28 [3] Oct 4 [4] Oct 10 [5] Oct 11: Day One [6] Oct 12: Day Two [7] Oct 13: Day Three [8] Oct 17: Day Four [9] Oct 18: Day Five [10] Oct 19: Day Six [11] Special interview with Chris Shelton, Oct 19 [12] Oct 20: Day Seven [13] Oct 21: Day Eight [14] First week in review, with Jeffrey Augustine [15] Oct 24: Day Nine [16] Oct 25: Day Ten [17] Oct 27: Day Eleven [18] Oct 28: Day Twelve [19] Second week in review, with Jeffrey Augustine [20] Halloween special [21] Nov 2: Day Thirteen [22] Nov 3: Day Fourteen [23] Nov 4: Day Fifteen [24] Third week in review [25] Nov 5, Saturday special [26] Nov 6, Sunday special [27] Nov 7, Day Sixteen [28] Lisa Marie Presley breaking news [29] Nov 8, Day Seventeen [30] Nov 9, Day Eighteen [31] Nov 10, Day Nineteen
——————–
“Sex — it’s interesting, but aberrative value of sex compared to the aberrative value of eight is zero. Of course, what happens to somebody like Freud that concentrates on sex, is he really doesn’t have guts enough to just kick completely outside all agreements with his civilization. And for somebody in 1894 to have suddenly said, ‘God — well, I tell you about God, he’s a trick!’ They probably would have lynched him. They’ll probably lynch me yet, but anyway … For somebody to have kicked outside the confines of the church at that time would have been too adventurous to contemplate. It almost is now.” — L. Ron Hubbard, December 2, 1953
——————–
“A Court of Ethics is convened on MSM Ann Tidman. She did not come on duty till 0930. This violates Policy No. 10. Ann Tidman is to appear before the Court at 1930 in the Aft Lounge. Court Officer is Ens. Wayne Alkire.” — Ens. C. Cariotaki, T/3rd Mate, Convening Officer, December 2, 1970
——————–
“Now there also exists bad angels/aliens outside this dimension. Beings and some people here on Earth are in telepathic/mind communication with them. Certainly Jews are more likely to have this special communication or spirit guide guidance you could say. Of course not all of them have it, it’s just that they are more likely to have this ability in their DNA which enables this special connection, hence the huge amount of super evil people here on Earth who have Jewish DNA/family backgrounds…In reference to Scientology, implants seem to be able to affect DNA according to OT8 Student briefing, so people could be getting abducted, which changes their DNA which then can be passed onto their children. So basically we could be dealing with bad aliens implanting people so that they have telepathic communication with them forever.”
——————–
1998: Pickets were held in Clearwater, Florida this week to mark the 3rd anniversary of Lisa McPherson’s death at the Fort Harrison Hotel. Pickets were to be accompanied by bus ads. From the St. Petersburg Times: “Pinellas County’s transit chief pulled 10 buses off the road Sunday after the Church of Scientology complained that the vehicles’ side panels
——————–
“I’m an old punk who never had much time for hippies, but in retrospect I gotta admit they accomplished more than we punks did. We just had better fashion and got the music back to where it should be. I don’t know, but it always seems that after a certain point in any movement that the soldiers outlive their usefulness and the diplomats always take over.”
——————–
Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker
Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Trial began October 11 in Los Angeles.
— ‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Grand jury indictments include charges from an assault while in custody. Arraigned on August 29.
— Jay and Jeff Spina, Medicare fraud: Jay sentenced to 9 years in prison. Jeff scheduled to be sentenced on Oct 28.
— Rizza Islam, Medi-Cal fraud: Trial scheduled for March 1 in Los Angeles
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, fraud: Next pretrial conference set for September 19.
— Yanti Mike Greene, Scientology private eye accused of contempt of court: Found guilty of criminal and civil contempt.
Civil litigation:
— Baxter, Baxter, and Paris v. Scientology, alleging labor trafficking: Complaint filed April 28 in Tampa federal court, Scientology moving to compel arbitration. Plaintiffs filed amended complaint on August 2. Hearing scheduled November 17 to argue the arbitration motions.
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’ Selection of arbitrators underway. Next court hearing: February 2, 2023.
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson: Appellate court removes requirement of arbitration on January 19, case remanded back to Superior Court. Stay in place at least through December 13.
— Brian Statler Sr v. City of Inglewood: Case settled ahead of scheduled Dec 6 trial.
— Author Steve Cannane defamation trial: New trial ordered after appeals court overturned prior ruling.
— Chiropractors Steve Peyroux and Brent Detelich, stem cell fraud: Lawsuit filed by the FTC and state of Georgia in August, now in discovery phase.
——————–
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.
LEAH REMINI: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE AFTERMATH
An episode-by-episode guide to Leah Remini’s three-season, double-Emmy winning series that changed everything for Scientology watching. Originally aired from 2016 to 2019 on the A&E network, and now on Netflix.
SCIENTOLOGY’S CELEBRITIES, from A to Z
Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!
Other links: SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS: Tom Cruise and dirty tricks. Scientology’s Ideal Orgs, from one end of the planet to the other. 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 a weekly series. How many have you read?
——————–
THE WHOLE TRACK
[ONE year ago] Scientology honcho lectures Clearwater leaders on how he’s been mistreated
[TWO years ago] The Top 25 People Enabling Scientology, No. 8: The ghost private eyes
[THREE years ago] TWO MORE WOMEN COME FORWARD TO LAPD WITH DANNY MASTERSON RAPE ALLEGATIONS
[FOUR years ago] How to finance a Scientology church in a city without any Scientologists
[FIVE years ago] DOX: Scientology’s pricey Florida ‘spiritual mecca’ keeps up its value in latest tax records
[SIX years ago] You saw Bonny Elliott talk about her battle with Scientology; Now hear it from her husband
[SEVEN years ago] Hey, Legoland: A former Scientology youth explains what your money will buy
[EIGHT years ago] Another Riffer-ific salvo from Scientology leader David Miscavige in our legal roundup
[NINE years ago] Here Comes Scientology, Here Comes Scientology, Right Down Hollywood Boulevard!
[TEN years ago] Scientology Targeting Eagle Scouts In New Initiative
[ELEVEN years ago] L. Ron Hubbard Schools Richard Nixon: Sailing on the Apollo Nov 27 – Dec 3
——————–
Bernie Headley (1952-2019) did not see his daughter Stephanie in his final 5,667 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 2,866 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 3,371 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 2,921 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 1,911 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 1,802 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,107 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 2,977 days.
Doug Kramer has not seen his parents Linda and Norm in 2,082 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 4,555 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 3,871 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 12,437 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 8,356 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 4,524 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,104 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 4,366 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 3,402 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,117 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 2,682 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 997 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,172 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 6,723 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 3,854 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,192 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,047 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,166 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 2,522 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 6,825 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 2,931 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,329 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,205 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 2,788 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,283 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 3,537 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 14,646 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on December 2, 2022 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, 1995-2021 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2021), 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, 15 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
Watch our short videos that explain Scientology’s controversies in three minutes or less…
Check your whale level at our dedicated page for status updates, or join us at the Underground Bunker’s Facebook discussion group for more frivolity.
Our non-Scientology stories: Robert Burnham Jr., the man who inscribed the universe | Notorious alt-right inspiration Kevin MacDonald and his theories about Jewish DNA | The selling of the “Phoenix Lights” | Astronomer Harlow Shapley‘s FBI file | Sex, spies, and local TV news | Battling Babe-Hounds: Ross Jeffries v. R. Don Steele
Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast
