First for you today we have a programming note: Today’s session of the Danny Masterson retrial will begin a bit later this morning, so the first report you may get from us will be at the lunch break.
Thinking back to yesterday’s final hours of testimony for Jane Doe 3, we’re still struck by a couple of things we wanted to mention.
The email that Shawn Holley showed her, of course, was the first truly strange and unanswered mystery of the retrial. We couldn’t see the contents of the email from where we were sitting, other than it started out “Hey Dan.” Holley said that it was an email Jane Doe 3 had written in 2007 to Masterson, and that it was something to do with the woman he was seeing, actress Bijou Phillips (they were married in 2011).
Holley wanted to read the entire email out loud for the record, but Judge Charlaine Olmedo didn’t allow it. So instead, Holley began asking Jane Doe 3 questions about it. And that’s when Jane Doe 3 began reacting to it, saying, “I have an issue with this.”
She said that although some of it was familiar, “I don’t think I wrote some of this. I don’t understand. Some of this was not what I wrote. I would like an explanation.”
Had the email been altered? She pointed out, for example, that she never referred to Masterson as “Dan,” and never called Phillips “Beej.” The implication seemed clear: This email had been hacked.
From Holley’s questions, we got the notion that the email was some kind of warning that Jane Doe 3 was supposedly sending Masterson about the woman he was about to marry. But again, we will say that we could not read the contents of the email from where we were sitting.
The exchange between Jane Doe 3 and Holley left an unsettling feeling in the courtroom, and then there was an interesting consequence for the defense: Judge Olmedo said the jury could decide on its own if the email had been altered or hacked, and the defense had now opened the door for the prosecution to discuss allegations of hacking that the victims in this case have been alleging in their parallel civil lawsuit.
So Deputy DA Mueller, on redirect, asked Jane Doe 3 about that, and she began giving examples of her phone acting strange, and then she went into a disturbing example of harassment…
Yes, I got a message from account “Operating Thetans” and some numbers. They said’ “we have a list of your crimes and we’re going to expose you.” I got a message from these perverts asking for anal sex. And I got to talk to one of these people, and he sent me a link to a photo of a woman’s bottom with my contact info saying I wanted anal sex.
This seemed to have a lot of impact, and certainly much more than the “Hey Dan” email, which the jury didn’t really get to hear much about. In other words, this was a mistake that the defense was paying pretty dearly for.
And there was another effect. As in the last trial, it’s when she is talking about the harassment Jane Doe 3 says is still ongoing that appears to upset her more than anything else. It led to a massive panic attack in the last trial, and she went into another one yesterday, crying and shaking and clearly having some issues with her breathing.
Judge Olmedo allowed her to step down from the witness stand when Holley said she had only one last question on re-cross. (It was regarding the January 2017 interview in Austin by Det. Reyes.)
Up to that point, Jane Doe 3 had held up very well, and had once again provided the jury a compelling and disturbing look at what it was like to be in a years-long relationship with Danny Masterson.
Today, we’ll hear from her husband Cedric, and we will likely begin the testimony of Jane Doe 1 in the afternoon. Get ready for more reports from the courtroom.
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Technology Cocktail
“The mind is a bridge between the spirit and the body, and the mental-image pictures formed by a thetan added to and confused with the mental-image pictures formed by the body is usually how a thetan stays in a head. He confuses the two and therefore demonstration of past existences by running somebody ‘back down on the time track’ and having him look at a picture is not very convincing. He has always had some unreality about it, has no recognition of having ever been anything else before.” — 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
“In the final analysis, everything is a postulate. Everything came about by postulates. We just could make postulates the end-all of everything, and we’re very safe on it. Everything rationalizes out very nicely. And postulates if treated as a topflight goal bring about a very, very fine condition on the part of the preclear. What are you trying to get him to do, in essence? Change his mind. He has a bad leg, he’s crippled; you won’t get that leg well unless he changes his mind about having to have a bad leg. Believe me, you won’t. The doctors can saw and hew and use axes and materia medica and Morris Fishbeins and everything else on him, and by George, his leg will not get well until he has made up his mind for his leg to get well.” — L. Ron Hubbard, April 28, 1954
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“UK is in the mystic band. That’s the last stop this side of Hades, when an empire decides to go, Man. The basic law on this is: When dealing with unknown dangers over which he has no control and against which he has no defense, Man becomes mystic as to cause and effect. Reaching a population in that condition is quite a problem. It can be done, but only on the gradient of tiny cause and effect. By coaxing small reaches and giving very light effects it can be done.” — The Commodore, April 28, 1970
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“Scientology cosmology needs no reform. The brains of some ex-Scientologists need reform and therapy. Some even believe today in Darwin and human ‘democracy.’ The Marcabian takeover of Christianity: L. Ron Hubbard described since the 1960s how extraterrestrial Marcabians and world bankers had taken over Christianity. Today Israel is populated by imposter khazares who belong to Rothschild world banker, who holds the deed (Balfour declaration) and therefore is ipso facto king of the Jews.”
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1999: “Ethercat” reported that flyers have again been distributed by Atlanta Scientologists to revenge recent protests. “This time with flyers tacked to telephone poles. This is a new layout, with a much better picture of me on mine, and a horizontally distorted picture of wynot for his. They say simply, ‘Religious Bigot’ and below, ‘Stop the Harassment! Stop the Hate!’. There seemed to be a total of under 10; perhaps they are running low on paper and money with which to buy more. Again, no claim of ownership, but who else could it be? Why are Scientologists ashamed of their religion?
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“‘Malcolm In The Middle’ was so good I broke my rule for watching TV shows with Scientologists in them.”
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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] Here’s the new labor trafficking lawsuit against Scientology: Dive in!
[TWO years ago] Two Scientologists win seats on Los Angeles neighborhood council
[THREE years ago] Scientology admits that it numbers ‘tens of thousands’ not millions, as we’ve been saying
[FOUR years ago] Leah Remini and Mike Rinder dare Scientology defenders to go on camera
[FIVE years ago] A new ex-Scientologist memoir provides a journey through extortion in the rank-and-file
[SIX years ago] With Scientology at war in Clearwater, religious studies types still seeking its warm & fuzzy side
[SEVEN years ago] MONIQUE RATHBUN BLAMES FORMER ATTORNEYS AS SHE PLANS TO DROP LAWSUIT
[EIGHT years ago] Secretly taped Scientology executive complains about cheating on the ‘Survival Rundown’
[NINE years ago] Chris Shelton on the origins of Scientology’s notorious ‘Fair Game’ policy
[TEN years ago] Scientology Sunday Funnies: Baby We’re Amazed!
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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 3,013 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 3,518 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,068 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,058 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 1,949 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,253 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,124 days.
Doug Kramer has not seen his parents Linda and Norm in 2,229 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 4,676 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,018 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 12,584 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 8,503 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 4,671 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,252 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 4,513 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 3,549 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,265 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 2,829 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,144 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,319 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 6,870 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,001 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,339 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,194 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,313 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 2,669 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 6,972 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,078 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,476 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,352 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 2,935 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,430 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 3,684 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 14,793 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on April 28, 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
