Los Angeles, September 4, 2023 — In a landmark verdict, former “That ’70s Show” star Danny Masterson has been sentenced to 30 years to life in prison for the r**pe of two women that occurred more than two decades ago at his Hollywood Hills home. The 47-year-old actor, who showed no visible emotion upon hearing the verdict, was convicted on two of the three r^^pe counts he faced during his retrial in Los Angeles.
Judge Charlaine Olmedo, presiding over the case, delivered a stern message to Masterson, saying, “Mr. Masterson, 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.”
Masterson’s wife, Bijou Phillips, who had been a constant presence during her husband’s trials, left the courtroom without a word, donning a pair of sunglasses after the sentence was announced.
The charges against Masterson stemmed from the alleged r**pes of three women, identified as Jane Doe #1, Jane Doe #2, and Jane Doe #3, between 2001 and 2003. Masterson, once a popular sitcom star, did not take the stand in either of his trials and has consistently denied the accusations through his lawyers.
At the sentencing, the two women Masterson was convicted of raping, along with a former girlfriend whose r**pe accusation resulted in a hung jury in May, delivered emotional statements urging the judge to impose a harsh punishment.
“When you r**ped me, you stole from me,” said Jane Doe #2. “That’s what r**pe is, a theft of the spirit. You are pathetic, disturbed, and completely violent. The world is better off with you in prison.”
Jane Doe #1 expressed her disappointment at Masterson’s lack of remorse, stating, “He has not shown an ounce of remorse for the pain he caused. 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.”
Jane Doe #3 recounted how Masterson’s actions had haunted her throughout her life, saying, “Masterson’s actions sentenced me to viewing my body as a crime scene my entire life.”
In a post-sentencing statement, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón commended the bravery of the women who came forward and participated in the legal process. He stated, “My hope is that this sentence will somehow bring them peace and that their bravery will be an example to others. One of my top priorities is to ensure that Los Angeles will no longer be a hunting ground for Hollywood elite who feel entitled to prey on women.”
However, Masterson’s legal team remains steadfast in their belief in his innocence. Shawn Holley, one of Masterson’s lawyers, stated, “And though we have great respect for the jury in this case and for our system of justice overall, sometimes they get it wrong. And that’s what happened here. Mr. Masterson did not commit the crimes for which he has been convicted, and we and the appellate lawyers — the best and the brightest in the country — are confident that these convictions will be overturned.”
Masterson’s first trial ended in a mistrial in November, with jurors leaning toward acquittal. His second trial resulted in convictions for the r**pe of Jane Doe #1 and Jane Doe #2, but the jury could not reach a decision on Jane Doe #3.
All three accusers are former members of the Church of Scientology, to which Masterson also belongs. The trials drew attention to the controversial church, with the women accusing it of attempting to cover up the allegations. While Judge Olmedo emphasized that Scientology was not a defendant in the case, witnesses were allowed to testify that church officials pressured them not to report the r**pe allegations to the police.
In response, Scientology spokeswoman Karin Pouw repeatedly denied these allegations and stated that church doctrine requires members to “abide by all the laws of the land.”
Following Masterson’s sentencing, the Church released a statement that did not mention him by name but criticized the prosecution’s “introduction of religion into this trial as an unprecedented violation of the First Amendment.” The statement maintained that the Church was not a party to the case and argued that religion should not have played a role in the proceedings.
