A legal expert explained to Fox News Digital how including the Church of Scientology in actor Danny Masterson's rape retrial was not a violation of the First Amendment.
The accusers alleged they were hesitant to file charges due to the church's strict protocols against public involvement with member issues.
"The prosecution's introduction of religion into this trial was an unprecedented violation of the First Amendment and affects the due process rights of every American," the Church of Scientology told Fox News Digital in a statement."The Church was not a party to this case and religion did not belong in this proceeding as Supreme Court precedent has maintained for centuries.
The Church denied discouraging members from reporting criminal conduct to law enforcement, saying,"Church policy explicitly demands Scientologists abide by all laws of the land. All allegations to the contrary are totally FALSE. There is not a scintilla of evidence supporting the scandalous allegations that the Church harassed the accusers. Every single instance of supposed harassment by the Church is FALSE, and has been debunked.
Rahmani also explained how the victims' testimony — which did mention the Church of Scientology — did not violate the First Amendment. Danny Masterson faced a new trial after a mistrial was declared in November when a jury was deadlocked on three rape charges.
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