After a week off, the jury in the Danny Masterson trial will resume deliberations this morning, and we’ll be in court to bring you the results.
After two and a half days of deliberations, on November 18 the jury informed Judge Charlaine Olmedo that it was unable to find unanimous verdicts on all three counts of forcible rape that Masterson is facing. But Judge Olmedo said that the jury had not deliberated long enough to be declared deadlocked. Over objections by defense attorney Philip Cohen, she sent the jury home for the weeklong Thanksgiving break with plans to resume this morning.
On Tuesday, Law & Crime’s Meghann Cuniff published a very interesting piece about the legal history behind Judge Olmedo’s decision to encourage the jury to continue deliberating rather than to declare a mistrial. Known as the “Allen charge,” the law Judge Olmedo cited is commonly used in California but not in other states, Cuniff explained.
But will telling the jury to keep going result in verdicts? Experts we’ve consulted are telling us they think a deadlock and mistrial may be more likely at this point. And then it will be up the DA’s office whether to refile and have another trial, something that Cuniff characterized as “common” in her piece.
Well, either way, we’ll be in the courtroom this morning ready to bring you the news. Watch your inbox!
——————–
Back in LA, thanks to you!
After a week in New York, we winged our way back to LA yesterday, thanks to the generous members of the Underground Bunker. We put out a video yesterday about that to everyone, and we’re linking to it again in case you missed it. And here’s also the version at our YouTube channel.
——————–
Technology Cocktail
“It is possible to take a sick animal and rehabilitate his idea that he is dangerous by dodging every time he strikes out, no matter how faintly, at one. It is possible to rehabilitate an individual who is very low on the tone scale merely by coaxing him to reach out and touch the material universe and, touching it, to be certain that it is there, and having touched it, to withdraw the touch and to be certain that he could withdraw.” — 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
——————–
“Be the space of your body. The space of this room. The space of your body. The space of this room. Be the space of your body. The space of this room. The space of your body. The space of the building. The space of your body. The space of the building. The space of your body. The space of the building. The space of your body. The space of this building. The space of your body. The space of this building. The space of your body. The space of Camden. The space of your body. The space of Camden. The space of your body. The space of Camden. The space of your body. The space of Philadelphia. The space of your body. The space of Philadelphia. The space of your body. Space of Philadelphia. Space of your body. Space of Philadelphia. Space of New York. Space of your body.” — L. Ron Hubbard, November 28, 1953
“MISUNDERSTOODS: I wrote a piece in the OOD yesterday about Nixon’s misunderstoods. I hope no one accumulated any misunderstood words reading it. I found ‘hilarity’ in the first sentence wasn’t known. It means ‘high amusement,’ or ‘boisterous merriment’.” — The Commodore, November 28, 1971
——————–
“People need to realize why Scientology isn’t making as many OTs as it should. The purif cannot handle modern problems, Scientology needs to be used in conjunction with expert naturopaths etc to combat modern weapons released on us. I don’t even think we can get OT while we are busy trying to just remain not retarded. Fluoride’s bad effects take awhile to kick in and also I think they combine with vaccines to degrade us, these things take years of accumulation and then it gets passed on to kids.”
——————–
2001: Reuters reported that Scientology is suing Belgium for its classification as a sect. “The Church of Scientology said yesterday that it was suing the Belgian state for moral damages after a 1997 parliamentary report qualified the organization as a ‘sect.’ The organization, which has about 2,000 members in the country, said it had filed a lawsuit against the state in a Brussels court, seeking a symbolic one euro in moral damages. The first hearing is to be held on Dec. 13. Martin Weightman, director of human rights for the organization in Europe, said the label breached the European Human Rights Convention. Weightman said the report had later been used ‘to incite numerous incidents of intolerance and discrimination’ against Scientologists.”
——————–
“Every Thanksgiving my Dad would get in a bad mood and start saying stuff like the Native Americans should have slaughtered the pilgrims as soon as they landed.”
——————–
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 returns to ‘Christmas’ implant in earnest: L. Ron is the reason for the season!
[TWO years ago] Chris Shelton: What it’s like to spy for Scientology’s Office of Special Affairs
[THREE years ago] On this Thanksgiving, we’re thankful again for people we will never forget
[FOUR years ago] Scientology responds to Leah Remini’s season premiere with smeariest smear video ever
[FIVE years ago] Ugh. We just found a troubling L. Ron Hubbard Scientology lecture about little boys and sex.
[SIX years ago] How Liz Gale came to disconnect from her own mother, Scientology style
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology’s apocalyptic ‘expansion’: A hint at the real story in a Brighton shiny moment
[EIGHT years ago] The richest Scientologists in the world get a new trophy for donating another pile of cash!
[NINE years ago] Jefferson Hawkins Explains the Ethics of Scientology’s “Suppressive Person”
[TEN years ago] More McPherson Cover-Up Corroboration: “I Watched Them Drain $20 Million In Reserves”
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology Held Woman Aboard the Freewinds for 12 Years Against Her Will: Aussie TV
——————–
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 2,862 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 3,367 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 2,917 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 1,907 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 1,798 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,103 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 2,973 days.
Doug Kramer has not seen his parents Linda and Norm in 2,078 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 4,551 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 3,867 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 12,433 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 8,352 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 4,520 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,100 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 4,362 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 3,398 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,113 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 2,678 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 993 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,168 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 6,719 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 3,850 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,188 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,043 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,162 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 2,518 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 6,821 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 2,927 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,325 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,201 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 2,784 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,279 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 3,533 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 14,642 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on November 28, 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
