Danny Masterson: That 70’s Show actor given 30 years to life in jail for raping two ladies

Actor Danny Masterson has been given a jail sentence of 30 years to life for raping two ladies 20 years in the past.

Masterson, finest recognized for his function in TV comedy That 70’s Show, was handed the jail time period after Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Charlaine F Olmedo heard from the ladies he assaulted, who detailed their trauma and struggling.

The 47-year-old US actor, who has been in custody since May, sat in his go well with with out a response because the pair spoke.

“When you raped me, you stole from me,” mentioned one lady.

“That’s what rape is, a theft of the spirit.”

“You are pathetic, disturbed and completely violent. The world is better off with you in prison.”

The different lady, who he additionally raped in 2003, mentioned Masterson “has not shown an ounce of remorse for the pain he caused”.

She advised the decide: “I knew he belonged behind bars for the safety of all the women he came into contact with. I am so sorry, and I’m so upset. I wish I’d reported him sooner to the police.”

A mistrial was declared in December 2022 after a jury failed to succeed in a verdict on three rape counts, and he was retried on all fees.

He was discovered responsible by a majority determination of two counts on 31 May, after seven days of deliberations, however the jury couldn’t attain a verdict on the third depend allegedly involving one other lady.

Masterson was sentenced after a defence movement for a brand new trial was rejected, together with his legal professionals making an attempt to have the 2 convictions run concurrently at 15 years to life.

“It’s his life that will be impacted by what you decide today,” Masterson’s lawyer Shawn Holley advised the decide.

“And the life of his nine-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 a unprecedented father, husband, brother, son, co-worker and group servant.”

Prosecutors argued his place within the controversial Church of Scientology, the place the 2 ladies and one alleged sufferer have been additionally members, was used to keep away from penalties afterwards, with the ladies blaming the organisation for his or her hesitancy in going to the police.

In an announcement, the church mentioned the “testimony and descriptions of Scientology beliefs” in the course of the trial have been “uniformly false”.

“The church has no policy prohibiting or discouraging members from reporting criminal conduct of anyone – Scientologists or not – to law enforcement.”

Masterson didn’t testify, nor did his legal professionals name any witnesses, with the defence as a substitute arguing the acts have been consensual.

The ladies, whose proof led to his conviction, mentioned that in 2003 Masterson gave them drinks that made them really feel light-headed, earlier than they handed out and he raped them.

That 70’s Show, which ran for eight collection from 1998 to 2006, revolved round a gaggle of teenage pals, and was set in Seventies Wisconsin.