This Thursday, former “That ’70s Show” actor Danny Masterson was sentenced after he was convicted of raping two women in his Hollywood home two decades ago.
As previously reported, Masterson was first arrested in June 2020 and charged with raping three women in separate incidents from 2001 and 2003. His first rape trial began in October 2022. However, it was declared a mistrial that November after the jury was unable to reach a final verdict on the three counts. Though a second jury was able to find Masterson guilty of two counts of rape, but didn’t reach a unanimous decision on a third count in a subsequent retrial in May 2023.
Prosecutors alleged that the entertainer used his prominence in the Church of Scientology – where all three victims were also members at the time – to avoid consequences for decades after the alleged attacks. The women claimed that they were hesitant to come forward and alert the police because of the church. They testified that when they reported Masterson to Scientology officials, they were told they were not actually raped. Instead, they were put through ethics programs and even were warned against going to law enforcement to report a member of such high standing.
RELATED: ‘That ’70s Show’ Actor Danny Masterson Found Guilty Of Raping Two Women, Faces 30 Years To Life
RELATED: “That 70s Show” Actor Danny Masterson Charged With Raping Three Women
However, Deputy District Attorney Reinhold Mueller told jurors at the trial, “They were raped, they were punished for it, and they were retaliated against.” After hearing more statements from the women about the trauma they experienced, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Charlaine F. Olmedo handed down a 30-year sentence to Mr. Masterson.
The sentencing also comes after the judge rejected the defense motion for a new trial that was argued earlier this Thursday. The defense sought to have sentences for the two convictions run simultaneously. His legal team also asked for a sentence of 15 years to life. Meanwhile, the prosecution asked for the full 30 years to life.
Masterson has denied any wrongdoing. He did not testify in court, nor did his lawyers call any witnesses to the stand. However, Masterson’s lawyer Shawn Holley told the judge before the sentencing, “It’s his life that will be impacted by what you decide today. And the life of his 9-year-old daughter, who means the world to him, and to whom he means the world. He has lived an exemplary life, he has been an extraordinary father, husband, brother, son, co-worker, and community servant,” Holley said.
Clearly, the alleged rapes that the victims experienced which left them with great trauma, were more important to take into consideration when handing down the lengthy sentence.