Actor Danny Masterson found guilty on two counts of rape
Sign up to our free US news bulletin sent straight to your inbox each weekday morning
Sign up to our free morning US email news bulletin
Danny Masterson, star of That 70s Show, could get as much as 30 years to life in prison at his sentencing today for the rapes of two women two decades ago.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Charlaine Olmedo is set to sentence the 47-year-old actor after ruling on a defence motion for a new trial that she rejected, and after hearing impact statements from the victims.
A jury of seven women and five men found Masterson guilty of two counts on 31 May after seven days of deliberations. Both attacks took place in Masterson’s Hollywood Hills home in 2003, when he was at the height of his fame on the Fox network sitcom.
The jury could not reach a unanimous verdict on a third count, an allegation that Masterson also raped a longtime girlfriend.
The verdict came in a second trial after a jury failed to reach verdicts on three counts of forcible rape in December 2022 and a mistrial was declared.
Prosecutors alleged that Masterson used his prominence in the Church of Scientology — where all three women were also members at the time — to avoid consequences for decades after the attacks.
Full story: Judge rejects new trial for Danny Masterson, weighs prospect of decades in prison
Danny Masterson, star of That 70s Show could get as much as 30 years to life in prison at his sentencing Thursday for the rapes of two women two decades ago.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Charlaine Olmedo is set to sentence the 47-year-old actor after rejecting a defence motion for a new trial.
She is hearing victim impact statements before issuing her ruling on what Masterson’s sentence will be. The actor, who has been in custody since May, sat in court wearing a suit.
“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 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.”
Masterson watched the women without visible reaction as they spoke.
A jury of seven women and five men found Masterson guilty of two counts on 31 May after seven days of deliberations. 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.
The jury could not reach a unanimous verdict on a third count, an allegation that Masterson also raped a longtime girlfriend.
The verdict came in a second trial after a jury failed to reach verdicts on three counts of forcible rape in December and a mistrial was declared.
The defence sought to have sentences for the two convictions run simultaneously and asked for a sentence of 15 years to life. The prosecution asked for the full 30 years to life sentence Masterson was eligible for.
“It’s his life that will be impacted by what you decide today,” Masterson’s lawyer Shawn Holley told the judge. “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.
Scientology survivor Leah Rimini in court
Ex-Scientologist and campaigner Leah Rimini is in the court to support the victims.
One of the victims addressed the allegation that she had persuaded them to falsely accuse Masterson.
“Sorry, Leah’s not behind this.”
Oliver O'Connell7 September 2023 19:03
Court on 15-minute break ahead of sentencing
“Just to be clear, Mr. Masterson is not going to say anything,” lawyer Shawn Holley just told Judge Olmedo.
Two of the victims spoke for about 10-20 minutes. One brought up Masterson’s DJ name: DJ Donkey Punch.
“You relish in hurting women. It is your addiction. It is without question your favourite thing to do,” legal affairs journalist Meghann Cuniff reports her as saying.
“Life is precious and fragile. Find your heart … Learn something. Read books. Listen to the brightness of nothing and get well. I forgive you,” the same victim said.
A prosecutor read aloud a statement from the third victim that jurors deadlocked on.
Oliver O'Connell7 September 2023 18:59
Ashton Kutcher addresses rape charges against co-star Danny Masterson
Oliver O'Connell7 September 2023 18:42
How did Masterson’s lawyer challenge allegations?
Masterson’s attorney challenged his former longterm girlfriend during her testimony at the trial as to why new details had emerged in her account of when she claimed the actor raped her in 2001.
Oliver O'Connell7 September 2023 17:50
What happened during deliberations?
Jurors deliberated for more than a week before reaching a verdict.
Oliver O'Connell7 September 2023 17:20
Who is Danny Masterson’s wife, Bijou Phillips?
The trial and conviction of Bijou Phillips’s husband Danny Masterson joins a long list of scandals she has encountered throughout her life. For those who aren’t familiar, here’s a little background on the sitcom star’s wife.
Oliver O'Connell7 September 2023 16:55
Have Masterson’s former co-stars spoken about the case?
Actor Ashton Kutcher, who starred alongside Masterston on That 70s Show and The Ranch, commented on the case back in January.
(Getty Images)
Oliver O'Connell7 September 2023 16:28
Leah Remini, noted Scientology critic, reacts to Danny Masterson verdict
Oliver O'Connell7 September 2023 16:20
Who were Masterson’s accusers?
The Associated Press does not typically name people who say they were victims of sexual abuse.
One of the women Masterson is convicted of raping was born into a Scientology family and was part of Masterson’s circle of friends. Nearly all of those closest to her were members, including the late Lisa Marie Presley, who also left the church long before her death in January.
The woman said that when she stopped by Masterson’s house to pick up a set of keys in 2003, he gave her a drink that left her sick and badly disoriented, and raped her in his bedroom upstairs. She first filed a police report, which did not lead to an arrest, in 2004. She returned to authorities in 2016.
Jurors found her account credible and convicted Masterson based on her allegations.
A model and actor who was Masterson's girlfriend from 1996 to 2002 took the stand to open the trial. She previously testified that Masterson grew increasingly physically and sexually abusive in their years together. She said that it eventually led to him raping her twice late in 2001, though he is only charged with one instance, a morning when she woke to find Masterson raping her. She would go to the police 15 years later.
Jurors could not agree on a verdict on her allegations, deadlocking 8-4 in favour of conviction.
The third woman at the centre of the trial had only recently met Masterson through mutual friends in the church, which she had joined as a teenager. She testified that in 2003 that Masterson invited her to his house, where they were alone. She said she was clear that she wanted no sex, but he convinced her to get into his jacuzzi and then took her to his bed, where he raped her. She went to the police in 2017.
Jurors convicted Masterson based on her testimony.