Danny Masterson. Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic
Danny Masterson has been sentenced to 30 years to life in jail after he was convicted on two counts of forcible rape throughout his sexual assault retrial.
“Mr. Masterson, you aren’t the sufferer right here. Your actions 20 years in the past took away one other individual’s alternative and voice,” the decide instructed Masterson, 47, on Thursday, September 7. “Your actions 20 years in the past right this moment had been prison, and that’s why you might be right here.”
The That 70’s Present alum was discovered responsible on two counts of rape throughout his second trial, which concluded on Might 31.
“We need to specific our gratitude to the three girls who got here ahead and bravely shared their experiences. Their braveness and energy have been an inspiration to us all,” Los Angeles County District Legal professional George Gascón stated in an announcement on the time. “Whereas we’re disenchanted that the jury didn’t convict on all counts, we respect their choice. The verdicts handed down by the jury on this case had been undoubtedly a troublesome one to achieve and we thank the jurors for his or her service.”
Danny Masterson’s Ups and Downs By way of the Years: A Timeline
After visitor appearances on numerous TV exhibits, Danny Masterson obtained his massive break when he landed the function of Steven Hyde on That ‘70s Present. The FOX sequence, which premiered in 1999, adopted youngsters coming of age within the fictional Wisconsin suburb of Level Place. Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis, Laura Prepon, Topher Grace and Wilmer Valderrama […]
The lawyer continued: “We additionally acknowledge that stopping sexual assault is important and we’ll proceed to teach the general public on the significance of consent, wholesome relationships and bystander intervention. We consider that by working collectively, we are able to create a safer and extra simply society for all.”
Masterson was arrested and charged with three counts of rape in 2020 after a number of girls accused him of assaulting them within the early 2000s. The actor — who shares daughter Fianna, 9, with spouse Bijou Phillips, whom he wed in 2011 — fervently denied the accusations.
“From day one, I’ve denied the outrageous allegations in opposition to me. Regulation enforcement investigated these claims greater than 15 years in the past and decided them to be with out advantage,” Masterson beforehand instructed Us Weekly in a December 2017 assertion. “I’ve by no means been charged with against the law, not to mention convicted of 1. On this nation, you might be presumed harmless till confirmed responsible. Nonetheless, within the present local weather, it appears as if you’re presumed responsible the second you might be accused.”
The Males at Work alum was written off of Netflix’s The Ranch amid the scandal, almost two years earlier than his first prison trial. The courtroom proceedings, which started in August 2022, resulted in a mistrial after the jury failed to achieve a unanimous verdict. Masterson’s retrial began in April, with Phillips, 43, typically seen at her husband’s aspect.
“Bijou has been a complete rock,” a supply solely instructed Us in January 2022. “She totally helps him and says they’ll get via this nightmare collectively and are available out stronger.”
The Virtually Well-known actress later attended the Might 31 conclusion of her husband’s second trial, the place she was heard audibly sobbing when the jury’s verdict was learn aloud.
Hollywood’s Sexual Misconduct Scandals
Whereas Hollywood might seem like all glitz and glam on the floor, the business has seen its fair proportion of scandals via the years. The New York Occasions and the New Yorker first printed investigative items that accused disgruntled film producer Harvey Weinstein of many years of sexual assault and harassment in 2017. Quickly after, Weinstein stood trial and was convicted […]
In 2019, a number of of Masterson’s accusers filed a lawsuit in opposition to the Church of Scientology, of which the Chicago 8 actor is a member, claiming the group engaged in illegal practices to hinder justice when the allegations in opposition to Masterson had been initially reported. The church responded in an announcement to Us following his conviction.
“The Church has no coverage prohibiting or discouraging members from reporting prison conduct of anybody—Scientologists or not—to legislation enforcement. Fairly the alternative, Church coverage explicitly calls for Scientologists abide by all legal guidelines of the land. All allegations on the contrary are completely FALSE,” learn the Might assertion. “There may be not a scintilla of proof supporting the scandalous allegations that the Church harassed the accusers.”
If you happen to or somebody you realize are experiencing home violence, please name the Nationwide Home Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential help. In case you have skilled sexual assault, name the Nationwide Sexual Assault Phone Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 for confidential help.
