Judge Charlaine Olmedo succeeded yesterday in sticking to her schedule by seating a jury for the Danny Masterson retrial after a couple of long days of voir dire. By about 4 pm yesterday we had a sworn jury of seven women and five men, and eight alternate jurors evenly split between men and women. Opening statements in the trial will begin Monday morning.
During that process, we did our best to take notes of what these prospective jurors were asked by Judge Olmedo herself, as well as defense attorney Philip Cohen and then prosecutors Ariel Anson and Reinhold Mueller. Those questions were based on the responses the jurors had given on written questionnaires that we didn’t have access to, however, so any information we have is limited.
Still, a few interesting things emerged about the people who ended up as jurors and alternates, and one in particular has us a bit puzzled.
But first, we wanted to briefly deal with something that flared up on social media yesterday when Leah Remini asked about a prospective juror who admitted to having a tenuous connection to Scientology.
She was reacting to our notes on prospective juror 152, who was quizzed by Judge Olmedo on Wednesday afternoon…
Juror 152. Man. What part of town? Miracle mile. Business? Consumer electronics. Judge a police officer fairly? Yes. Heard a little about both Scientology and this case. One of my business clients is the publisher for L. Ron Hubbard. Any other exposure to Scientology. Fair? Yes. Studied any of the works of Scientology. I have not.
This was our second time watching how voir dire works in Judge Olmedo’s courtroom, and so we knew that someone with a juror number as high as 152 had almost no chance of ending up on the jury, and that turned out to be the case. Juror 152 was not selected.
As for the jurors who were selected, here are the notes we made as Judge Olmedo quizzed them individually on Wednesday morning…
Juror 1 in seat 1.
Juror 1: Woman. Sat on 2 cases, civil and criminal. Civil was medical malpractice in Santa Monica, about 20 years ago. Criminal was drugs, 15 years ago. Your significant other was former LAPA with Secret service? LAPD and secret service. Retired? Actually passed away suddenly in 2021. Anything about that would impact your ability to be fair? No. Judge asks if there are good and bad police. She agrees. And that police don’t get any greater or lesser credibility? Judge reads witness list to see if they know anyone (and this is for the whole room). Fair and impartial? Yes.
Juror 11 in seat 2.
Juror 11. Woman. What do you do in your job duties. Environmental health and safety. Make sure workers are wearing protective gear, train them on safety. Exposure to Scientology, general media. Anything specific to this case? No. Fair? Yes.
Juror 5 in seat 3.
Juror 5: Man. What part of LA do you live in? Boyle Heights. Can you keep an open mind as it relates to sexual incidents? Yes. Do you think you can be fair and impartial? Yes.
Juror 8 in seat 4.
Juror 8: Woman. You were on a civil case. For about an hour. Can you otherwise be fair? Yes.
Juror 9 in seat 5.
Juror 9: As a registered nurse did you have exposure to rape victims? No. And your ex partner, what did they do? Some kind of business (unclear). Civil case about ten years ago. Any knowledge about this case, you said you had seen something on local news. Did it go into great detail. She says it was something she heard in the background. Can still be fair.
Juror 10 in seat 6.
Juror 10. Man. Criminal case: About 25 years ago, gang kidnapping. The incident that happened 30 years ago, did that involve yourself? Myself. Traffic case. Can you be fair? Yes.
Juror 30 in seat 7.
Juror 30. Man. Fair? Yes.
Juror 13 in seat 8.
Juror 13. Woman. Works for City of LA. Can you be fair? Yes.
Juror 15 in seat 9.
Juror 15. Woman. You work for an academic institution? Yes. Santa Monica College. Criminal case? About 12-13 years ago, bank robbery. Here in state court. You have some limited understanding about Scientology. Yes, just famous people. Fair? Yes. I have a job interview on Friday.
Juror 20 in seat 10.
Juror 20. Man. Significant other is a payroll clerk. For? DWP. Can you be fair? Yes.
Juror 23 in seat 11.
Juror 23. Man. IT support for LAUSD. No familiarity with Scientology, just aware of its existence. Just their general presence in Hollywood. Fair? Yes.
Juror 41 in seat 12.
Juror 41. Woman. Social work, clientele? Individuals with health issues. Fair? Yes. Ever dealt with victims of rape? No.
And again, we’ll remind you that we do not have access to the written questionnaires that these jurors filled out, only the brief answers they gave Judge Olmedo.
But we also want to remark on something reporter Meghann Cuniff pointed out to us. Yesterday afternoon, Deputy DA Ariel Anson had this interchange with Juror 5…
Anson: Both sides are looking for people who can be impartial. We all come in with different backgrounds. But based on something in your past, is there something that would cause you to be unfair in this case. We’re asking for people who recognize their biases and can not use that to determine guilt or innocence. Some can, some cannot. So if you have something that you will not be able to put aside, please raise your hand. Juror 5, left blank whether he knew Masterson. Did you know him?
5: I watched the show.
Anything about that, like you thought he did a great job in the show, the People will have to have a tougher job.
5: He’s very talented.
Is that something you can put aside and judge the case fairly?
5: Yes.
So the defense doesn’t get an extra brownie point because you liked his show?
5: Yeah.
Although this juror told Anson that he could be fair, we’re a little surprised that the prosecution didn’t use a peremptory challenge to remove him. If you remember, when the challenges began yesterday afternoon, the government was initially satisfied with the makeup of the panel and didn’t ask to remove anyone. They could have easily removed Juror 5 at that point but chose not to.
The defense then used its challenges to remove several people, and prosecutors then also began using challenges to remove some jurors. But they let Juror 5 stay.
Well, they had a jury consultant with them helping them decide who to remove, so we’ll assume they saw something in Juror 5 that they liked. But we’re just a little surprised that they aren’t concerned, apparently, about someone who was so open about his admiration for Danny Masterson’s acting skills.
What do you think? Is it a bit risky to leave Juror 5 on the panel?
Technology Cocktail
“For our purposes the question of a field is simple. Common example, pc was held in a dark room. The room kept him from going away. It is an incident. The blackness he always sees is the blackness of the room which kept him from going away. This incident or many like it piled up is a “field”. It is only necessary to have him mock up black rooms, shove them into his body and keep them from going away (pc is cause here where the room was cause before) and the field will change. This is a rule: In any field, a PC was effect in an incident where he was being kept from going away. To clear that field, it is only necessary to have him create the incident, shove it into the body and have pc keep it from going away.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1958
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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.
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THE PODCAST: How many have you heard?
[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
— The first Danny Masterson trial and beyond
[18] Trial special with Chris Shelton [19] Trial week one [20] Marc Headley on the spy in the hallway [21] Trial week two [22] Trial week three [23] Trial week four [24] Leah Remini on LAPD Corruption [25] Mike Rinder 2022 Thanksgiving Special [26] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part One [27] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part Two [28] Claire Headley on the trial [29] Tory Christman [30] Bruce Hines on spying [31] Karen de la Carriere [32] Ron Miscavige on Shelly Miscavige [33] Karen de la Carriere on the L’s [34] Mark Bunker on Miscavige hiding [35] Mark Plummer [36] Mark Ebner [37] Karen Pressley [38] Steve Cannane [39] Fredrick Brennan [40] Clarissa Adams [41] Louise Shekter [42] John Sweeney
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“The road into this universe is successive unawarenesses. And the road out is successive awarenesses. But not just bare-breasting your chest to the whole universe. No, you have to find out why the individual didn’t want to be aware at those points, and he didn’t want to be aware because he solved it. Well, what’s this solution? Well, that was yesterday’s problem. Yesterday’s solution, problem, solution, problem, solution — they’re all the same line of cat. He got himself into trouble by solving himself into trouble. And when he has solved himself all the way into trouble totally, he’s here, and he’s the fireman down in the stokehold. And therefore there are no lower levels of subconscious for you to explore; there are only upper levels of awareness.” — L. Ron Hubbard, April 21, 1964
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“We’re having a VIP function aboard at 1900 tonight. The Mayor, Harbour Master, news photographers and approx 20 others are invited. Just like crew became so expert at handling in February. Everyone’s agreement and assistance will be much appreciated.” — Lt. Barry Watson, Pub Exec Officer, April 21, 1970
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“John McMaster failed to see that in this planet (a floating insane asylim) most of the population is PTS to a very few SPs, and upstat people are fairgamed continually. Protectors of the Earth are continually shot to death (R2-45) and innocent children are put into pedophile rings where they are raped and murdered. On the contrary, the ethics system at the Flagship Apollo rewarded hard working and effective people and punished down statistics and SPs with fairgame, R2-45 and chain locker punishments. LRH had the viewpoint and task to create an empire. John McMaster didn’t. Are you starting to get a clue yet?”
1999: The London Evening Standard reported that Scientology celebrity Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman are suing over allegations that they needed a coach to help them act love scenes. “For Hollywood’s hottest married couple, the slur could hardly be worse. Which is why Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman are prepared to reveal intimate details of their sex life together before a judge and jury in a multi-million dollar action against an American magazine. The magazine – The Star – has alleged that a pair of English sex therapists had to teach the couple how to make love on screen for their joint starring role in the late director Stanley Kubrick’s final movie, the steamy, sado-masochistic Eyes Wide Shut. Cruise and Kidman yesterday filed a multi-million pound libel lawsuit claiming the magazine ‘acted with hatred, ill-will, malice and fraud’ by publishing the story. The magazine claims to have a contract proving the Duffields were hired for the job. The contract is said to contain a demand that they sign a lifetime confidentiality agreement, which they apparently did. Phil Bunton, editor-in-chief of the magazine, is unrepentant. He said: ‘If Tom and Nicole want to sue over this it means they are leaving themselves open to be questioned in open court about extremely intimate details of their marriage. I can’t imagine why they want to pursue this unless there is some hidden Scientology agenda I am not aware of. Scientologists are against psychotherapy and presumably sex therapy, too, so maybe that has something to do with it.'”
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“Most people have never heard of the guy who invented the mouse. But a lot of them have heard of L Ron Hubbard. This is why I drink.”
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Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker
Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Mistrial declared November 30. Retrial scheduled, jury selection begins March 29. Next pretrial hearing: Feb 16.
— ‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Grand jury indictments include charges from an assault while in custody. Next pretrial hearing Feb 13.
— Rizza Islam, Medi-Cal fraud: Trial scheduled for March 1 in Los Angeles
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, fraud: Next status conference Feb 13.
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 November 17 to argue the arbitration motions, awaiting ruling.
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’ Selection of arbitrators underway. Next court hearing: March 15, 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 February 7.
— 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.
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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?
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THE WHOLE TRACK
[ONE year ago] More proof that Hollywood is over Scientology: Netflix openly mocks it with billboard
[TWO years ago] The Top 25 People Enabling Scientology, No. 2: Monique Yingling
[THREE years ago] City of Inglewood: Brian Statler shouldn’t have resisted arrest and forced us to shoot him dead
[FOUR years ago] Scientology’s mad real estate splurge has real consequences for its indentured workers
[FIVE years ago] Hana Whitfield’s book excerpt: L. Ron Hubbard’s amidships meltdown over ‘Xemu’ and OT 3
[SIX years ago] Bunker reader Dee Findlay stole the show as Clearwater stood up to Scientology last night
[SEVEN years ago] How Lisa Marie Presley became Scientology leader David Miscavige’s worst nightmare
[EIGHT years ago] Marc Headley reveals the embarrassing technological secrets of Scientology
[NINE years ago] Convicted of fraud by France’s highest court, Scientology still pursues creative appeals
[TEN years ago] Sunday Funnies: The United States of Scientology
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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 3,006 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 3,511 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,061 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,051 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 1,942 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,246 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,117 days.
Doug Kramer has not seen his parents Linda and Norm in 2,222 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 4,699 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,011 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 12,577 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 8,496 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 4,664 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,245 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 4,506 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 3,542 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,258 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 2,822 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,137 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,312 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 6,863 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 3,994 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,332 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,187 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,306 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 2,662 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 6,965 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,071 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,469 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,345 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 2,928 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,423 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 3,677 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 14,786 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on April 21, 2023 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, 1995-2022 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2022), 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
