Current:Home > InvestDanny Masterson Sentenced to 30 Years to Life in Prison in Rape Case -SecureNest Finance
Danny Masterson Sentenced to 30 Years to Life in Prison in Rape Case
View
Date:2025-04-16 01:50:45
Danny Masterson will serve time behind bars in connection to his rape conviction.
Three months after a jury found the That '70s Show alum guilty of two counts of rape, a Los Angeles Superior Court Judge has sentenced the 47-year-old to 30 years to life in prison, according to NBC News.
In May, Masterson—who was arrested and charged on three counts of forcible rape in 2020—was found guilty of raping two women between 2001 and 2003 at his Hollywood Hills home, with the jury unable to reach a verdict on a third count alleging he raped a former girlfriend, per NBC News.
Prosecutors alleged that Masterson sexually assaulted three women—who they said The Ranch actor met through the Church of Scientology—at his Hollywood Hills home in separate incidents. The verdict came six months after a mistrial was declared in Masterson's case, in which the jury was unable to reach unanimous decisions on the three rape charges.
His new trial began earlier this year, in which his three accusers, identified as Jane Doe #1, Jane Doe #2 and Jane Doe #3, each gave emotional testimonies, according to the Associated Press.
The women previously accused the Church of Scientology of pressuring them into not reporting the allegations to police. However, the church denied those claims in a June 1 statement obtained by E! News, saying that the organization "has no policy prohibiting or discouraging members from reporting criminal conduct of anyone—Scientologists or not—to law enforcement."
Masterson, who previously pled not guilty to the charges, did not testify during the retrial, per NBC News. After his verdict, according to the outlet, the Men at Work actor was taken away from the courtroom in handcuffs as his wife Bijou Phillips shed tears.
In response to the guilty verdict, Jane Doe #2 said in a statement outside of the courtroom at the time that she was feeling a "complex array of emotions," per NBC News, including "relief, exhaustion, strength, sadness," adding that she was "disappointed that he was not convicted on all counts."
"But take great solace in the fact that he, the Church of Scientology, and others," she continued, "will have to fully account for their abhorrent actions in civil court."
Jane Doe #3, whose rape charge the jury did not reach a verdict on, said she felt "devastated" that Masterson "dodged criminal accountability for his heinous conduct against me."
E! News reached out to Masterson's attorneys for comment and has not heard back.
(E! and NBC News are part of the NBCUniversal family.)
For free, confidential help, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or visit rainn.org.veryGood! (2)
Related
- Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
- Historic new Kansas City stadium to host 2024 NWSL Championship
- Ranger injured and armed person making threats dies at Yellowstone, park says
- UW-Milwaukee chancellor will step down next year, return to teaching
- Highlights from Trump’s interview with Time magazine
- Vaping regulations, DMV changes among bills signed by North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper
- Avian flu confirmed in a Colorado farmworker, marking fourth human case in U.S. since March
- Ford recalls more than 30,000 Mustangs over potential loss of steering control
- Newly elected West Virginia lawmaker arrested and accused of making terroristic threats
- How to protect your home from a hurricane
Ranking
- Federal hiring is about to get the Trump treatment
- Rapper Waka Flocka Flame tells Biden voters to 'Get out' at Utah club performance: Reports
- Judge temporarily blocks Biden administration’s restoration of transgender health protections
- Celebrate July 4th with a hot dog: Best cities for hot dogs, America's favorite hot dog
- Trump invites nearly all federal workers to quit now, get paid through September
- San Diego Wave threatens legal action against former employee, denies allegations of abuse
- Copa América quarterfinal power rankings: How far is Brazil behind Argentina and Uruguay?
- FDA bans ingredient found in some citrus-flavored sodas
Recommendation
Hackers hit Rhode Island benefits system in major cyberattack. Personal data could be released soon
Christina Applegate Shares Her Top Bucket List Items Amid Battle With Multiple Sclerosis
England's Jude Bellingham was a hero long before his spectacular kick in Euro 2024
Philadelphia sports radio host banned from Citizens Bank Park for 'unwelcome kiss'
Average rate on 30
As temperatures soar, judge tells Louisiana to help protect prisoners working in fields
Money issues may sink proposed New Jersey branch of acclaimed Paris museum. Mayor blames politics
Victoria and David Beckham recreate iconic purple wedding outfits ahead of 25th anniversary