Danny Masterson found himself in a somewhat awkward position in court Friday, as a former interior designer for he wife Bijou Phillips – who also at one time was friends with two of his accusers – took the stand for the prosecution’s rape case against the “That 70s Show” star.
Mariah O’Brien, who was at one point married to actor Giovanni Ribisi and had dabbled in Scientology, was friends with the two Jane Doe witnesses known as “NT” and “CB,”Both have testified during the past two week.
Masterson openly smiled at O’Brien as she took the stand. O’Brien smiled back at Masterson and his family members in the courtroom, and mouthed “bye”After her testimony was done.
Mid-week, NT said Masterson made O’Brien come over to their house and forced her to drink a glass of wine. Then he brutally raped her while she was drifting in and out. O’Brien said she first met NT at a party around 15 years ago, that initially they were acquaintances but later became good friends by the end of 2011.
“I broke my legs in 2011 and she came over to my house,”She testified.
Deputy District Attorney Ariel Anson then asked her if their friendship changed and O’Brien said, “That’s an understatement. But yes.”
Under questioning O’Brien said she believes she first met Masterson in 1994 or 1995 and said they were acquaintances and would see each other at parties and events, before becoming his interior designer. O’Brien also said she met “CB” – Masterson’s long-term girlfriend from 1995-2002 – when she first became engaged to Ribisi in 1996. Anson asked if O’Brien was a member of Scientology.
“Not currently,”She said.
After a dinner at her house, with her two children and a friend, she claimed that NT and her fell out in the autumn of 2014. “We stopped speaking,”She said. “I stopped speaking to her.”
She said that everyone had been dining at the table on that evening, but when they turned to Masterson, NT was upset.
“She became distraught and angry … I think she may have even stood up from her chair … She was upset. Turning red.”
Anson asked her if NT had blurted anything out.
“Yes,” O’Brien said. “She said that she had been raped by Mr. Masterson.”
O’Brien said she was shocked when she heard that: “I was also upset that she was speaking that way in front of my children. I also vaguely recall saying to her that I considered him a family person in my life, so I was not having this.”
O’Brien said NT then left and they stopped speaking. Anson asked her about Instagram messages that she had exchanged with CB in 2016. She said CB asked her if she knew anyone who had accused Masterson of rape – and she told CB about NT, but that she was no longer in contact with her.
O’Brien also testified that she no longer works for Masterson, is still not friends with NT, and has no further relationship with CB.
Monday’s testimony was canceled. The jury was directed by the
lawyers and other motions. Tuesday afternoon, the court resumes.
Masterson was formally charged in 2020, but allegations first came to light in 2017 when a blogger covering Scientologyreportedthat detectives were investigating the actor after three women came forward with accusations of rape and assault. Three women allege that Masterson came to their attention in the early 2000s via the Church of Scientology. Each woman has claimed that they were forced to remain silent by the Church.
Masterson has maintained innocence. His family, including his brothers, and Bijou Phillips, have been at court daily to support him.