Danny Masterson sentenced to 30 years in prison on rape charges
Danny Masterson, who shot to fame after appearing in 'That '70s Show', has been sent to prison for 30 years on charges of raping two women.
In Short
- Danny Masterson has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for raping two women.
- The actor was known for appearing in the 'That ’70s Show'.
- The verdict was passed on Thursday, September 7.
A judge sentenced 'That ’70s Show' show star Danny Masterson to 30 years to life in prison Thursday for raping two women, giving them some relief after they spoke in court about the decades of damage he inflicted.
DANNY MASTERSON SENTENCED TO 30 YEARS IN PRISON
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Charlaine F Olmedo handed down the sentence to 47-year-old Danny Masterson after hearing statements from the women, and pleas for fairness from defense attorneys.
“When you raped me, you stole from me,” said one woman who Masterson was convicted of raping in 2003. “That’s what rape is, a theft of the spirit.”
“You are pathetic, disturbed and completely violent,” she said. “The world is better off with you in prison.”
The actor, who has been in custody since May, sat in court wearing a suit. Masterson watched the women without visible reaction as they spoke. He maintains his innocence and his attorneys plan to appeal.
The other woman Masterson was found guilty of raping said he “has not shown an ounce of remorse for the pain he caused.” She told the judge, “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.”
After an initial jury failed to reach verdicts on three counts of rape in December and a mistrial was declared, prosecutors retried Masterson on all three counts earlier this year. Masterson waived his right to speak before he was sentenced and had no visible reaction after the judge’s decision, nor did the many family members sitting beside him. His wife, actor Bijou Phillips, was tearful earlier in the hearing.
At his second trial, a jury found Masterson guilty of two of three rape counts on May 31. Both attacks took place in Masterson’s Hollywood-area home in 2003, when he was at the height of his fame on the Fox network sitcom “That ’70s Show.”
They could not reach a verdict on the third count, an allegation that Masterson also raped a longtime girlfriend.
The judge sentenced the actor after rejecting a defense motion for a new trial that was argued earlier Thursday. The sentence was the maximum allowed by law. It means Masterson will be eligible for parole after serving 25 1/2 years, but can be held in prison for life.
“I know that you’re sitting here steadfast in your claims of innocence, and thus no doubt feeling victimized by a justice system that has failed you,” Olmedo told Masterson before handing down the sentence. “But Mr. Masterson, you are not the victim here. Your actions 20 years ago took away another person’s voice, and choice. One way or another you will have to come to terms with your prior actions, and their consequences.”
ABOUT DANNY MASTERSON
Danny Masterson starred with Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis and Topher Grace in 'That ’70s Show' from 1998 until 2006. He had reunited with Kutcher on the 2016 Netflix comedy, 'The Ranch,' but was written off the show when the Los Angeles Police Department investigation was revealed the following year.