Masterson Trial Jury Restarts Deliberations with 2 New Members

LOS ANGELES -- Jurors in the rape trial of ``That '70s Show'' star Danny Masterson were ordered to begin their deliberations anew today, with two alternates added to the panel following news that two jurors had tested positive for COVID-19.

The newly reconstituted panel wrapped up its first day of deliberations Monday afternoon and was due back at the downtown Los Angeles courthouse Tuesday morning to continue its discussions.

The previous jury deliberated for about 2 1/2 days before informing Superior Court Judge Charlaine Olmedo on Nov. 18 they were ``unable to reach a unanimous decision" on any of the charges against Masterson.

The judge told the jurors they had not deliberated long enough for her to declare a mistrial and asked them to try again after the Thanksgiving break.

When the panel returned Monday morning, the judge excused two jurors who reported that they had tested positive and were symptomatic for COVID-19, and two alternate jurors joined the panel. Olmedo ordered the jury to begin ``your deliberations all over again'' with the two new members.

Olmedo denied the defense's latest request for a mistrial.

Masterson was charged in 2020 with forcibly raping three women in separate incidents between 2001 and 2003 at his Hollywood Hills home.

He has been free on bail since his June 2020 arrest by the Los Angeles Police Department's Robbery-Homicide Division.

-- City News Service