Danny Masterson - best known for his role on the hit US sitcom That 70s Show - has been sentenced to 30 years to life in prison after being found guilty of two counts of rape.
As reported by AP, Judge Charlaine Olmedo allowed the three Jane Does involved in the case to provide victim impact statements during the sentencing hearing. This includes the two women he was convicted of raping and the third whose count was dismissed.
"When you raped me, you stole from me," one of Masterson's victims said in her victim statement. "That’s what rape is, a theft of the spirit."
After being arrested back in 2020, Masterson pleaded not guilty to three counts of felony rape, following accusations from three different women, including a former girlfriend. These alleged attacks took place between 2001 and 2003.
Masterson's first trial ended in a mistrial in November 2022 due to a deadlocked jury. All three alleged victims were members of the Church of Scientology, as is Masterson. They claimed hesitance to approach law enforcement initially, citing church teachings that discouraged reporting to the police, per AP.
One woman alleged that Masterson shoved a pillow into her face while raping her in 2003. Another woman, Jane Doe No. 3, claimed that he raped her in 2001 while she was asleep. She, along with Jane Doe No. 2, is also involved in a related civil case against Masterson and the Church of Scientology.
Eventually, the LA County District Attorney’s Office opted to try again with a new set of jurors, and all three accusers agreed to testify again.
During the retrial earlier this year, defense attorney Philip Cohen questioned the credibility of the accusers. Cohen suggested that the women might have "tweaked or maneuvered" their stories, possibly motivated by "hatred, revenge, or money."
However, Judge Olmedo denied a mistrial request from the defense, which was based on the argument that prosecutors overly focused on the alleged drugging of victims. Olmedo cited that this was "directly relevant to their ability to perceive the events of the charged incidents.
The decision came after Deputy District Attorney Ariel Anson was permitted to state that Masterson drugged all three women before the alleged rapes. This contrasts with the first trial, where the drugging could only be implied. Defense attorney Philip Cohen argued, "there is no drugging charge," indicating that evidence beyond the women's stories was lacking.
Nevertheless, the Los Angeles jury found Masterson guilty of two counts of forcible rape in the retrial. Following his conviction, Masterson was informed that he must remain in custody while awaiting today's sentencing.
The Church of Scientology became a central topic in Masterson's retrial, especially since he is a prominent member. All three accusers are former church members who have claimed that church officials discouraged them from going to the police. Expert testimony on Scientology was also allowed this time, adding another layer to the complex trial.
The Church of Scientology previously stated to ABC News that there is "no policy prohibiting or discouraging members from reporting criminal conduct" and that their policy "explicitly demands Scientologists abide by all laws of the land."
Masterson, 47, got his big break on That '70s Show, running from 1998 to 2006. His career was at its peak during the time of the alleged assaults, with his Hollywood home being a social hub, as well as the scene of all three crimes, according to prosecutors. That '70s Show was still airing during the time of the alleged rapes.
Masterson was first investigated by police in March 2017. Amidst the #MeToo movement, he was written off from Netflix's The Ranch.
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