Woman testifies she was encouraged by Luster to take GHB
Friday December 20, 2002VENTURA, 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.
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