Danny Masterson, a popular actor from “That ’70s Show,” received a sentence of 30 years to life in prison by Judge Charlaine F. Olmedo in Los Angeles, on Thursday, September 7, for the rape of two women in 2003.
During the trial, the victims spoke about their experiences. One woman said that Masterson took away her spirit, while another mentioned he had shown no remorse.
Masterson, 47, has been in custody since May and was present in court during the sentencing. He did not show a reaction to the testimonies of the women. He has consistently said he is innocent, and his legal team intends to file an appeal.
Initially, a jury couldn’t reach a verdict in December 2022 on three counts of rape, which led to a mistrial. The defendant was retried on the three counts in May and the jury found him guilty of two out of three of the counts on May 31. The third count, concerning an accusation from a former girlfriend, remained unresolved.
Before deciding on the sentence, the judge declined a request from Masterson’s defense for a new trial. The actor’s sentence is the maximum permitted by law. He can apply for parole after completing 25 1/2 years in prison but could remain in prison for life.
Shawn Holley, Masterson’s lawyer, mentioned the impact of the decision on Masterson’s life and his young daughter.
After the hearing, Holley released a statement asserting Masterson’s innocence and highlighted potential issues with his convictions that will be addressed in an appeal.
During the trial, there were claims that Masterson used his status within the Church of Scientology to deter consequences. The victims, who were also members of the church, felt the church played a part in their reluctance to report Masterson to the police. The Church of Scientology has denied such accusations.
The case against Masterson began before the rise of the #MeToo movement in Hollywood.