Diddy and Harve Pierre reportedly want the Jane Doe accusing them of gang rape to lose her anonymity. While the defendants already know who she is, they want her identity to be a matter of public record. The alleged victim’s lawyer, Douglas H. Wigdor, argues that the high-profile nature of the case, in conjunction with the fact she was underage at the time of the alleged assault, should give her grounds to keep her identity private.
“On December 9, 2023, counsel for [Diddy and Harve Pierre] indicated that they do not consent to [Jane Doe’s] motion to proceed anonymously,” Wigdor explained, as noted by AllHipHop. “Because of the high-profile nature of the Defendants, compounded with the fact that [Jane Doe] was only seventeen years old at the time of the sexual assault alleged in the Complaint, she should be permitted to proceed under a pseudonym and pursue her claims with anonymity. The media attention of this action would undoubtedly create a chilling effect on future plaintiffs in similar circumstances should Ms. Doe be forced to disclose her identity.”
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs at the 2023 Met Gala: Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty held at the Metropolitan. Museum of Art on May 1, 2023 in New York, New York. (Photo by Lexie Moreland/WWD via Getty Images)
He added: “[Jane Doe] has experienced significant trauma as a result of Defendants’ sexual assault and rape and would certainly experience significant harm if she is forced to reveal her identity to the public.” The woman is the fourth person to come forward with accusations against Diddy in recent weeks. The lawsuits began with Cassie in November, although she and Diddy settled a day later.
Diddy finally broke his silence on the lawsuits, earlier this month. Taking to Instagram, he wrote: “Enough is enough. For the last couple of weeks, I have sat silently and watched people try to assassinate my character, destroy my reputation and my legacy.” From there, he labeled the allegations “sickening” and accused the victims of looking for a “quick payday.” He added: “I will fight for my name, my family and for the truth.” Be on the lookout for further updates on the lawsuits against Diddy on HotNewHipHop.
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Danny Masterson was among the most sought-after actors. His role in The ’70s Show boosted his fame, and soon, he was on the cover of every entertainment magazine worldwide. As he continued to build on his career, undisclosed controversies were happening behind the scenes. Even after That ’70s Show ended, the actor continued to enjoy his status as one of Hollywood’s elite.
However, by 2017, severe accusations began following Masterson. Soon, several women would come forward with allegations of sexual misconduct and rape. Although Masterson denied the allegations, he faced charges relating to the scandal. This month, the once beloved star was sentenced to 30 years behind bars. This is the monumental rise and fall of Danny Masterson.
Early Career Of Danny Masterson & That ’70s Show
Daniel Peter Masterson was born on Long Island, New York, on March 13, 1976, and started modeling at age four. According to In Touch Weekly, Danny appeared in his first commercial at five years old. By the time he was 16, Danny starred in more than 100 commercials. In 1993, Danny landed his first role in a movie, Beethoven’s 2nd. He also had roles on TV shows like Roseanne, NYPD Blue, and Cybill. In 1998, Danny caught his major break.
When Masterson landed the role of Steven Hyde on That ’70s Show in 1998, the 22-year-old hit paydirt. Fans loved the series and it became an instant hit. Danny’s Hyde was one of the show’s favorite and most beloved characters. He received much praise for his portrayal. Although the show ended after eight years in 2006, Masterson made his mark and was ready to take his success to the next level.
Life After The Series Ended & Accusations Against Masterson
HOLLYWOOD, CA – MARCH 18: Danny Masterson arrives at the Los Angeles premiere of “Olympus Has Fallen” held at ArcLight Cinemas Cinerama Dome on March 18, 2013 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Michael Tran/FilmMagic)
After That ’70s Show ended, Danny Masterson continued to work and starred in other shows and movies. While he didn’t find another character that resonated like Hyde, he was still in the spotlight. In 2016, he reunited with his former ’70s co-star, Ashton Kutcher, to star in the Netflix hit show, The Ranch. As a co-executive producer on the show, things were looking food for Danny until the serious accusations.
Everything came tumbling down for Danny Masterson when three women accused him of sexual assault in March 2017. The women all alleged that Danny raped them between 2001 and 2003 at his home, coinciding with his success. One of the women was an ex-girlfriend who claimed that Danny raped her numerous times. Based on the women’s accusations, the Los Angeles Police Department opened up an investigation.
Beyond the rape allegations, the women claimed that his role as a high-ranking Scientology member prevented him from being charged earlier. The women claimed that church members tried to shut them up to protect Masterson. Instead, the victims said they were the ones who bore the brunt. One of the women, an actress, claimed she was effectively blacklisted. Eventually, two more women accused Danny of assault, increasing the number to five.
The Fallout
Danny vehemently denied the accusations, but almost immediately after, people began choosing sides. While Danny had plenty of supporters, many others turned their back on him. In December 2017, Netflix decided to believe the women and dropped Danny from The Ranch. The streaming giant released a statement stating, “As a result of ongoing discussions, Netflix and the producers have written Danny Masterson out of The Ranch. Yesterday was his last day on the show, and production will resume in early 2018 without him.”
Danny released his own statement. “I am obviously very disappointed in Netflix’s decision to write my character off of The Ranch. From day one, I have denied the outrageous allegations against me. I have never been charged with a crime, let alone convicted of one.” He added, “I understand and look forward to clearing my name once and for all.” By 2019, four women sued Danny and the Church of Scientology.
The Charges & First Trial
In June 2020, Danny was charged with raping three women and pleaded not guilty in January 2021. After days of emotional testimony in May 2021 during a preliminary hearing, a judge decided that the women were credible and Danny would face trial. He was arraigned on June 7, where he pleaded not guilty again. At the time, he was free on a $3.3 million bail.
The trial opened on October 11, 2022. While Danny never testified on his behalf, the women recalled stories of him allegedly making unwanted advances. They even said they felt like he drugged their drinks to assault them against their will, according to E! News. One victim claimed that Masterson pulled a gun on her during an encounter. Despite the damning testimony, the jury deadlocked on whether he was guilty of all three charges. Therefore, the judge declared a mistrial. However, Danny Masterson wasn’t off the hook yet.
The Second Trial Of Danny Masterson
The second trial took place in April 2023. Once again, he pleaded not guilty, and once again, he didn’t testify. However, this trial was different since a jury found him guilty on two out of the three charges. After his conviction, Masterson was transferred to the L.A. County Men’s Central Jail. He was kept out of the general population due to his celebrity status.
During the sentencing phase, the victims spoke out. One called him “a true coward and heartless monster.” Another woman said, “You relish in hurting women. It is your addiction. It is without question your favorite thing to do.” The judge came down hard on Danny and said, “Mr. Masterson, you are not the victim here. Your actions 20 years ago took away another person’s choice and voice. Your actions 20 years ago today were criminal, and that’s why you are here. You were not convicted based on rumors, innuendo, gossip and speculation.”
The judge also mentioned that Danny paid each accuser $1 million to sign an NDA. She told him an innocent person would not have paid that amount. The judge gave Danny a 30-year-to-life sentence on September 7. Two 15-year sentences for each rape he was convicted of must be served consecutively. While Danny Masterson’s attorneys have promised to appeal, and he still has plenty of support, it looks like it will be an uphill battle.
Trey Songz continues to face allegations of sexual abuse. In recent years, there have been a number of claims against him alleging misconduct. Somehow, he managed to maintain a career through it all, though his accusers aren’t giving up in their attempts for justice. Per Rolling Stone, Jane Doe’s refiled a lawsuit against Songz on claims that the singer raped her in 2016. In the $25M lawsuit, Jane Doe also names Kevin Liles, Songz’s manager, Liles’ label, 300 Ent. and Trey Songz’s label, Atlantic Records.
Doe’s lawsuit reflects the one she previously filed. The judge dismissed that suit after shortly the singer’s team said her claims were past the statute of limitations. The lawsuit claims Songz led her to a bedroom at a party in L.A., where she believed that they were going to have a consensual encounter. She stated that the two have a consensual sexual history. However, she alleged that he held her to the ground and sodomized her. She added that he ignored her screams of pain as she pleaded with him to stop.
Jane Doe Claims Kevin Liles and Atlantic Records Were Complicit Of Trey Songz’s Behavior
Along with Trey Songz, his manager, and label are named in the lawsuit. Doe alleged that Liles, his label 300 Entertainment, and Songz’s label, Atlantic Record, have continued to work with Songz, despite the accusations. Her attorney claims that they are “responsible in some manner” for Songz’s behavior. Attorneys have recently employed this tactic when filing lawsuits against musicians. Last month, Interscope Records were named in a sexual assault lawsuit filed against Marilyn Manson. “It’s virtually impossible to believe that those executives are not and were not aware of the institutionalized sexual abuse,” a statement from Doe’s attorney George Vrabeck reads.
It appears that Songz has responded to the headlines since the initial report. As Jane Doe accused Songz of harassment and intimidation, the R&B singer maintained his innocence in a post shared on Instagram. “Lies will never be the truth. No matter who chooses to believe such,” he wrote. “ALHAMDULILLAH,” he added with a palms-out emoji. We’ll continue to keep you posted on any more developments in the case.
Four teenagers have been arrested in the rape of a Louisiana State University sorority member after she was dumped on the side of the road and fatally struck by a car following a night of drinking, police said. Questions gave been made about establishments and underage drinking.
Kaivon Deondre Washington, 18, Everett Lee, 28, and Casen Carver, 18, turned themselves in Monday, more than a week after 19-year-old Madison Brooks was fatally struck in Baton Rouge, the Advocate reported. A fourth suspect, a 17-year-old boy who had not been identified because he is a minor, turned himself in on Sunday, the outlet reported.
Carver admitted to police that Brooks “was very unstable on her feet, was not able to keep her balance, and was unable to speak clearly without slurring her words,” the document states. Carver told investigators he witnessed Brooks and the 17-year-old boy “hugging and walking together,” saying she asked for a ride home.
“He admitted that he agreed to give her a ride because he did not want to leave her while very intoxicated and the bar was closing up,” the arrest warrant says. Carver told authorities that he sat in the driver’s seat and Lee was in the front passenger seat, while Washington and the 17-year-old were in the back along with Brooks.
He said he asked Brooks for her address, “but she fell over and could not answer him.” the warrant says, “so he drove a short distance and pulled over.” Carver “stated he overheard his 17-year-old juvenile friend as he asked the victim five times if she wanted to have sex with him,” to which Brooks “gave verbal consent,” according to the document.
Washington and an unidentified 17-year-old were charged with third-degree rape, while Lee and Carver were charged with principle to third-degree rape. Ron Haley, an attorney for two of the suspects, told WAFB that this was “absolutely not a rape. Listen, this is a tragedy, definitely not a crime.”
He told the outlet that a video taken during the incident shows Brooks was coherent.
“Can you tell that she was intoxicated, yes. To the point under the law that you say you’re in a drunken stupor, to the point that you cannot lawfully give consent or answer questions, absolutely that was not the case,” Haley told WAFB.
The attorney claimed Brooks and Carver got into an argument in his car.
“Based on a disagreement, she got out of the vehicle. She indicated she was getting an Uber. I want the public to know, these young men or really the driver of the vehicle and the young men that were in there, did not put her off on the side of the road,” he said.
Do you think the bars should be held responsible for underage drinking?
Former porn star Ron Jeremy won’t stand trial for his over 30 counts of rape due to his “severe dementia.” According to The Los Angeles Times, the court will declare Jeremy incompetent. If so, he will spend his days at a state-run hospital.
The outlet says they obtained an email from L.A. County Deputy District Attorney Paul Thompson citing mental health experts to determine his condition.
“As a result of the agreement of the experts, the defendant will be declared incompetent to stand trial … his prognosis for improvement is not good,” Thompson wrote.
LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 26: Adult film star Ron Jeremy appears for arraignment on rape and sexual assault charges at Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center on June 26, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)
“If he does not improve, we will not be able to try him for his crimes,” he continued. “Because criminal proceedings are suspended as long as he is incompetent, we also cannot get a guilty plea from him or discuss other measures to get justice for the victims in this case.”
While he is unfit for now, if his condition improves, Jeremy can still stand trial at a later date.
Lianne Young, one of Jeremy’s accusers, says that she felt “numb” over the decision.
“It’s going to come down to public opinion now, and public opinion has looked at Ron like a god,” Young said. “It could be an indication to other predators or viewers of pornography that they can get away with such crimes.”
A jury indicted Ron Jeremy on more than 30 counts of sexual assault back in August 2021. The alleged incidents date back to 1996. He pleaded not guilty to the charges and maintained his innocence in the time since.
Neighbors and onlookers recorded the bloody aftermath of a man who was severely beaten after allegedly sexually assaulting a teenager.
“Absolutely tragic. It really is,” said Capt. Rebecca Hall, Detroit police. “It is in affecting a young life, a family, and it’s going to definitely take time to heal.”
McKay says officers took the suspect into custody Tuesday night. Although police would not confirm it, neighbors who witnessed the beating and those in the video, say that the suspect knows the victim.
“It’s sad, and it just hurt me so bad,” Carmen Witherspoon said. “And it broke me down that a man would do that.”
Witherspoon saw the man beaten up after the alleged sexual assault. She heard the commotion outside of her home in northwest Detroit Tuesday night and opened her front door to see the child rape suspect practically naked, surrounded by the victim’s furious relatives.
“They beat him over there real good,” she said. “He was on the ground. He managed to get up and he ran across the street, and he was on my property. He fell, he slipped, and fell. And that’s when they beat him some more.”
“He was bloody, nothing but blood, there was a puddle on the ground,” said one witness.
“From what I heard, they stomped his top lip off,” said Marc D’ Andre, 7 Mile Radio News. “His mouth appeared to be very bloody and it was just like he was in an MMA fight.”
D’Andre, the founder of 7 Mile Radio, provided FOX 2 with video. The victim’s relatives reportedly confronted the suspect after he allegedly raped the teen. They chased him around the neighborhood and dispensed their own justice once they caught up with him.
“I’m not mad at the way that it happened,” he said. “Whether it be swift street justice or through the court systems or jail systems, I think we need to raise awareness about this type of situation because too often it gets swept under the rug, and we have a lot of victims – both girls and boys.”
According to several confirmed reports, Michael Tyler, who is better known in the rap world as Mystikal from Master P’s No Limit imprint, was arrested and charged with rape, robbery, felony strangulation, false imprisonment and other related charges.
Tyler is currently behind bars at the the Ascension Parish Jail and was booked at the Parish’s Sheriff’s Office yesterday afternoon(July 31). He will be arraigned sometime today(August 1) according to records.
In 2003, Mystikal plead guilty to a sexual battery charge and served six years in prison. He was released in 2010, but was charged with another rape and kidnapping in 2016, but the case was dismissed in 2020 Louisiana’s Caddo Parish District Attorney refused to indict Tyler and dismissed the charges. Mystikal’s alibi was that the woman was there with her boyfriend and later claimed she was raped instead of admitting to being unfaithful.
“We never want to be a part of any process that has an innocent person tied up in the criminal justice process,” explained Britney Green from Caddo Parish District Attorney’s Office. “I just want to say that there is a distinction between not guilty and innocent, and that also because the case is dismissed or a case is resolved in a fashion other than at trial, that it doesn’t necessarily mean that an incident did not happen.”
