California Court Upholds Danny Masterson’s Rape Convictions
California appeals court upholds actor Danny Masterson’s rape convictions and prison sentence.
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A California appeals court has upheld actor Danny Masterson’s rape convictions and long prison sentence for the 2003 sexual assaults of two women at his home, according to a recent ruling. The three-judge panel unanimously determined that Masterson had not shown that the lower court made errors warranting a new trial or that his legal representation was ineffective.
Convictions and Sentence
Masterson was initially found not guilty by a deadlocked jury in 2022, but was later convicted in a retrial in 2023 and sentenced to 30 years to life in prison. His legal team has announced plans to seek further review from the California Supreme Court.
Legal Arguments and Rejections
The court rejected several of Masterson’s claims, including that his convictions violated the 10-year statute of limitations for forcible rape, as the statute does not apply when multiple victims are involved. The panel also dismissed arguments that evidence was excluded and that the trial court showed bias against his religion.
Background and Church Involvement
Masterson, a prominent member of the Church of Scientology, has faced allegations from former members who claimed they were assaulted and discouraged from reporting the incidents by church officials. The church has denied having any such policies. Masterson is currently serving his sentence at the California Men’s Colony in San Luis Obispo, and will not be eligible for parole for over 20 years.
Public and Media Response
Masterson was a star of the popular 1990s sitcom “That ‘70s Show,” and later reunited with co-star Ashton Kutcher on the 2016 Netflix series “The Ranch.” However, the show was discontinued after the allegations against Masterson emerged. The case has drawn significant public and media attention, highlighting the ongoing legal and societal debates around sexual assault and accountability.
Source: OANN
