Actor Danny Masterson was sentenced to 30 years in prison today following his conviction on two counts of rape. Masterson, known for his role on That 70s Show, was first charged with three counts of rape in 2020 after three women came forward with claims that Masterson had assaulted them. He was convicted on two of the three charges in May of this year, and a retrial was declared after his first trial was dismissed in October 2022. After a months-long trial, Danny Masterson was received his three-decade sentence in a Los Angeles courtroom earlier today.
‘That 70s Show’ Danny Masterson Sentenced to 30 Years on Two Rape Counts
That 70s Show alum Danny Masterson was first accused of rape in 2017 when three women came forward claiming that he had raped them in incidents ranging from 2001 to 2003, all during the peak of Masteron’s TV fame. According to the women, Masterson drugged them and then assaulted them at his home in Hollywood. Masterson maintained his innocence in the face of the accusations. However, the defense argued that the Church of Scientology – of which Masterson was a prominent member – had attempted to cover up the assaults. The church has, of course, denied these claims, stating that there was “not a scintilla of evidence supporting the scandalous allegations that the Church harassed the accusers”, per the BBC.
Eventually, Danny Masterson was found guilty on two out of the three rape charges, with the third charge being declared a mistrial in October 2022. Months later, in May 2023, Masterson was charged with two counts of rape and taken into custody at the L.A. County Men’s Central Jail. According to TMZ, rather than join the general population of the prison, Danny Masterson awaited his sentencing in “administrative segregation”, similar to other high-profile convicts like O.J. Simpson.
Everything We Know About Danny Masterson’s Sentencing Trial
Masterson’s sentencing trial took place in a Los Angeles County courtroom earlier today, with his wife, Bijou Phillips, present. While his wife was in tears as her husband was given a sentence of 30 years in prison, all reports state that Masterson himself remained straight-faced and dry-eyed not only during his sentencing but also as his victims read their own statements. AP News stated that Masterson watched the women give their impact statements “without visible reaction”, apparently dead-set on maintaining his evidence to the last. A statement read by Judge Charlaine F. Olmedo before the sentence was read supports this, stating the following:
“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…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.”
Danny Masterson was given the maximum allowed sentence of 30 years to life in prison. Per his sentence, Masterson will be eligible for parole after 25 and a half years but can be held in prison for life.