Danny Masterson was sentenced Thursday to 30 years to life in jail after being discovered responsible in May of two counts of forcible rape.
The That ’70s Show actor confronted 30 years in jail on the 2 convictions, the decision of which got here in the second rape trial in opposition to Masterson after the jury deadlocked in his first trial, ensuing in a mistrial. (Masterson was charged with three counts of forcible rape, however the jury was unable to come to a unanimous choice on the third rely.)
Following affect statements from the three victims, Masterson’s lawyer notified the court docket that the actor opted not to make his personal assertion prior to sentencing.
“When you raped me, you stole from me. That’s what rape is, a theft of the spirit,” one of many victims mentioned throughout affect statements. “You are pathetic, disturbed, and utterly violent. The world is healthier off with you in jail.”
After the decide denied the protection’s request for a brand new (and third) trial, Masterson’s legal professionals requested that the 2 sentences be concurrent as a substitute of consecutive. However, the decide disagreed, sentencing the 47-year-old disgraced actor to jail for the following three a long time and doubtlessly past.
“Mr. Masterson, I do know that you just’re sitting right here steadfast in your claims of innocence, and thus little doubt feeling victimized by a justice system that has failed you,” Judge Charlaine Olmedo mentioned throughout sentencing (by way of Variety). “But Mr. Masterson, you aren’t the sufferer right here. Your actions 20 years in the past took away one other individual’s voice and selection. Your actions 20 years in the past have been prison, and that’s the reason you might be right here.”
The May 31 verdict adopted a monthlong trial of emotional testimony from the three ladies whose allegations are linked to the fees, recalling violent allegations that Masterson drugged them earlier than raping them. The victims additionally claimed that the Church of Scientology protected Masterson and discouraged them from coming ahead with their allegations.
“We need to categorical our gratitude to the three ladies who got here ahead and bravely shared their experiences. Their braveness and energy have been an inspiration to us all,” District Attorney George Gascón mentioned in an announcement after the responsible verdict. “While we’re disillusioned that the jury didn’t convict on all counts, we respect their choice. The verdicts handed down by the jury in this case have been undoubtedly a troublesome one to attain and we thank the jurors for his or her service.”
The Church of Scientology was a serious subject all through the trial. Masterson is a outstanding Scientologist, and the entire ladies who accused him are former members of the group. The ladies informed the court docket that the group had informed them that they couldn’t have been raped and going to the authorities could lead on to extreme repercussions from the church. Representatives for the group have denied the claims, calling them fabrications.
Masterson additionally faces a civil go well with from the accusers that was scheduled to go to trial following the prison proceedings.
The third Jane Doe accuser — who beforehand publicly recognized herself as Chrissie Carnell Bixler, spouse of Mars Volta’s Cedric Bixler-Zavala — expressed her disappointment that the jury didn’t convict him on the fees tied to her allegations however equally mentioned she hopes to discover justice in the civil trial.
“I thank the jury for its service, and whereas I’m inspired that Danny Masterson will face some prison punishment, I’m devastated that he has dodged prison accountability for his heinous conduct in opposition to me,” she mentioned. “Despite my disappointment in this final result, I stay decided to safe justice, together with in civil court docket, the place I, together with my co-plaintiffs, will shine a lightweight on how Scientology and different conspirators enabled and sought to cowl up Masterson’s monstrous conduct.”
“Niesha and Chrissie have displayed super energy and bravado, by coming ahead to regulation enforcement and taking part straight in two grueling prison trials,” Alison (*30*), lawyer for Jane Does 2 and three, mentioned in an announcement Thursday to Rolling Stone.
“Despite persistent harassment, obstruction, and intimidation, these brave ladies helped maintain a ruthless sexual predator accountable as we speak, and they aren’t stopping there. They are keen to quickly inform the fuller story of how Scientology and its enablers tried desperately to preserve them from coming ahead.”
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