A California appeals court has confirmed the convictions of actor Danny Masterson, who was found guilty of raping two women. The ruling, issued on 27 October 2023, upholds Masterson’s substantial prison sentence of 30 years to life, following a robust review of the grounds on which he sought to challenge the verdict.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Danny-Masterson-102726-5780c23607bd40ce9eba787f83c7923a.jpg)
Masterson, known for his role in the sitcom *That 70’s Show*, had his appeal denied by the California Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District. The court’s opinion found no legal errors severe enough to warrant overturning the jury’s findings in the 2023 retrial, in which Masterson was convicted of multiple counts of forcible rape. Following the appeal ruling, the actor will continue to serve his lengthy prison term for the crimes.
In 2020, Masterson was charged in relation to incidents involving three women, who alleged that the assaults took place during separate incidents between 2000 and 2003. His first trial concluded in 2022 but resulted in a deadlocked jury on all counts, leading to a retrial. In the 2023 proceedings, jurors determined that he was guilty with respect to two of the women, identified as J.B. and N.T., while they were unable to reach a verdict regarding the third woman, C.B.
The actor’s legal team had filed the appeal in 2024, challenging the convictions on multiple fronts. Among their arguments were claims related to the statute of limitations, aspects concerning the Church of Scientology, and the handling of witnesses and evidence during the trial. However, the appeals court firmly stated that these arguments lacked substantive merit and did not justify a reversal of the prior judgment.
Masterson’s defence included criticism of the admission of testimony related to the Church of Scientology, with his attorneys contending that it infringed upon his constitutional rights. Nevertheless, the court found the evidence concerning the Church relevant in understanding the victims’ delayed reporting to authorities and their interactions with Masterson before and after the alleged incidents.
As reported in a statement from his legal representation, Masterson’s defence maintains that the trial was marred by improper rulings that influenced how the jury perceived the evidence against him and failed to present exculpatory evidence beneficial to the actor. The statement highlighted what they portrayed as two critical flaws in the original trial process.
Prosecutor Reinhold Mueller has previously emphasised the methodical nature of the assaults, asserting that Masterson’s actions enabled him to dominate his victims, who were allegedly incapacitated at the time. He described how the actor would use an alcoholic beverage to administer drugs to the women, although toxicology tests were not performed on the victims. Expert testimony indicated that the symptoms described were consistent with effects of the drug GHB.
The actor’s defence argued that the sexual encounters were consensual, and he has maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings. Following the appeals court decision, Masterson’s legal representatives, Cliff Gardner and Eric Multhaup, expressed intent to take the case to the California Supreme Court, indicating that they are resolute in continuing their fight against the convictions.
The ruling has garnered significant attention and adds to the ongoing dialogue surrounding issues of sexual assault, justice and celebrity accountability. The implications of the case extend beyond the court, highlighting the struggles faced by survivors in the legal system.
The conversations about Masterson’s trial also underscore the broader societal challenges that persist in addressing sexual violence and ensuring justice for victims. For anyone affected by sexual assault, resources are available, including the National Sexual Assault Hotline, which can provide support and guidance.