Woman testifies she was encouraged by Luster to take GHB
Friday December 20, 2002
VENTURA, Calif. (AP) A woman who was allegedly raped by
cosmetics heir Andrew Luster testified that she was not aware the
two had sex or that it was being videotaped.
The 29-year-old woman identified in court as Tonja Doe told
prosecutors Thursday that she was encouraged by Luster in 1996 to
take a substance known as gamma hydroxybutyrate, or GHB, which she
said he described as an herbal supplement. The clear, odorless
substance is considered a date-rape drug that knocks out its
victims.
The woman said within half an hour of taking the drug, she felt
numb and thought she was going to pass out. When she finally awoke
the following morning, she was in Luster's bed.
``I had my clothes on, but they were shifted,'' she said. ``I
was very confused. I felt like maybe he had done something to me.''
Luster, 39, the great-grandson of cosmetics mogul Max Factor, is
charged with 87 counts, including rape, sexual battery and
poisoning. He faces life in prison if he is convicted.
He was arrested after Ventura County sheriff's deputies raided
his home in July 2000. Deputies found 17 videotapes and photographs
of Luster having sex with apparently unconscious women.
Before Tonja Doe took the stand, prosecutors showed a videotape
of Luster having sex with her.
Throughout the tape, Luster moves the woman's body around like a
doll, placing her in various positions for sex.
The woman's eyes remained closed, her mouth open and her arm
above her head for most of the tape. Luster can be seen placing
objects, including a candle, a plastic sword and a lighted
marijuana cigarette, into her vagina.
The woman was not present in court when the tape was played.
Defense attorneys maintain that Luster engaged in consensual sex
with the women and that the women are lying. The defense has
suggested that the women shown on the tapes pretended to be asleep
while filming pornographic movies with Luster in his bedroom.
(Copyright 2002 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)