That '70s Show actor Danny Masterson appeared in court today ahead of his rape trial in Los Angeles

His lawyer Philip Cohen asked the judge to delay the trial due to start October 11 until after the Los Angeles mayoral race on November 8

Both candidates - Karen Bass and Rick Caruso - have bashed the Church of Scientology in television ads 

Masterson - who is a devout Scientologist - wants to prevent a jury from being biased by the candidates' anti-Scientology comments

Masterson, 46, has pleaded not guilty to raping three women at his Hollywood Hills home between 2001 and 2003

The Los Angeles Democratic mayoral race between Karen Bass and billionaire Rick Caruso - and their clashes over the Church of Scientology - took center stage today at a hearing about the upcoming rape trial of That '70s Show star Danny Masterson.

Jury selection for the trial is scheduled to start on October 11 at LA Superior Court's downtown criminal court where the Scientologist actor, 46, has pleaded not guilty to raping three women at his Hollywood Hills home between 2001 and 2003.

But today, Masterson's attorney, Philip Cohen, asked Judge Charlaine Olmedo to postpone the trial until after the November 8 mayoral election, arguing that a jury could be prejudiced by remarks both candidates have made in campaign ads, condemning Scientology.

One thing Bass and Caruso do agree on is that 'they don't like Scientology,' Cohen told the court. 'The public is being inundated with this (campaign ads) - it is a significant problem for Mr. Masterson.' 

 on the defense's motion to delay the trial

Today at court - where Masterson showed up in a gray suit, white shirt and dark red tie - Cohen contended that his client's trial should be delayed until at least after the November 8 election to prevent a jury from being biased by the candidates' anti-Scientology comments.

'These (TV) ads will continue right up to election day,' he said. 'Even if we get a jury that swears to be unbiased by this ad campaign, it's going to be very difficult to get them not to watch TV.'

Cohen called the campaign ads 'inflammatory' and 'horrible timing for the defense.'

Adding that 'The word ''Scientology'' never needs to come up' during Masterson trial - that's expected to last a month - Cohen suggested the church could be referred to as a club or simply church.'

Prosecutor Reinhold Mueller suggested that in a questionnaire issued to jurors in Masterson's trial 'any issues that the defense has with Scientology could be screened out.'

But Cohen countered, telling the court, 'The jurors could make it through the questionnaire but still see the anti-Scientology ads on TV.

'I don't watch a lot of TV so if I am seeing them, a lot of people are seeing them. These ads can play into the thoughts of the jurors.'

But Judge Coen denied the Amicus Brief, telling the court, 'This goes beyond the scope of my authority.'