California appeals court upholds Danny Masterson's rape convictions

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 28 Oct, 10:32 · Archive

A California appeals court has upheld actor Danny Masterson's convictions for raping two women at his home in 2003.

A California appeals court on Tuesday upheld actor Danny Masterson's convictions for raping two women at his home in 2003. In an 89-page ruling, the three-judge panel unanimously found that the 'That '70s Show' actor had failed to demonstrate that the lower court made errors warranting a new trial. The panel also rejected his petition claiming ineffective assistance of counsel.

Masterson's first trial ended with a deadlocked jury in 2022. At his retrial the following year, he was convicted and sentenced to 30 years to life in prison. He is currently serving his sentence at the California Men's Colony in San Luis Obispo and will not be eligible for parole for more than 20 years.

Among the rejected claims were that his convictions violated the 10-year statute of limitations for forcible rape, though the statute does not apply where there are multiple victims. Masterson is a prominent member of the Church of Scientology. His accusers are former members who alleged church officials told them what happened was not rape and that church policies prevented them from reporting to police. The church denied having any such policy.

Masterson's attorneys said they would seek review at the California Supreme Court.

How it is being reported

• California appeals court upholds actor Danny Masterson's rape convictionsA California appeals court has upheld actor Danny Masterson’s convictions and long prison sentence for raping two women at his home in 2003.Clickorlando · 27 Oct, 22:39
• California appeals court upholds actor Danny Masterson's rape convictionsA California appeals court has upheld actor Danny Masterson’s convictions and long prison sentence for raping two women at his home in 2003.News4Jax · 27 Oct, 22:39

In this story: Danny Masterson · Church of Scientology · California

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