Actor Danny Masterson was once sentenced to 30 years to lifestyles in jail Thursday after a jury convicted him previous this yr of raping two ladies two decades in the past, in line with the Los Angeles district legal professional’s workplace. Prosecutors mentioned the rapes happened in 2003 whilst Masterson, now 47, was once starring within the hit sitcom “That ’70s Display.”
“This has been an extended and exhausting highway for the sufferers of Mr. Masterson,” Los Angeles District Lawyer George Gascón mentioned in a remark to CBS Information after the sentencing. “They now not simplest survived his abuse, in addition they survived a gadget this is continuously now not sort to sufferers.”
Masterson was once convicted in Might of raping a 28-year-old lady in April 2003 and a 23-year-old lady later that yr, in line with prosecutors. Each incidents came about at Masterson’s Hollywood Hills house.
Myung J. Chun/Los Angeles Occasions by means of Getty Pictures
CBS Los Angeles stories Masterson has been in custody since his conviction. No cameras had been allowed in court docket all through Thursday’s sentencing. In line with The Related Press, Masterson wore a swimsuit in court docket as his accusers addressed him at once.
“While you raped me, you stole from me,” mentioned one of the vital ladies who Masterson was once discovered in charge of attacking, in line with the AP. “That is what rape is, a robbery of the spirit.”
“You’re pathetic, disturbed and entirely violent,” she mentioned. “The sector is at an advantage with you in jail.”
The opposite lady advised Awesome Court docket Pass judgement on Charlaine Olmedo, “I knew he belonged at the back of bars for the security of all of the ladies he got here into touch with. I’m so sorry, and I am so disenchanted. I want I might reported him quicker to the police.”
The jury did not achieve a unanimous determination on a 3rd rely that alleged Masterson additionally raped an established female friend. Deliberations lasted for greater than six days sooner than Masterson was once convicted at the two different counts.
Gascón mentioned the 3 ladies had been courageous for coming ahead.
“Their braveness and power were an inspiration to us all,” Gascón mentioned in a remark after Masterson was once convicted. “Whilst we’re dissatisfied that the jury didn’t convict on all counts, we recognize their determination.”
Past due ultimate yr, Olmedo declared a mistrial after a unique jury could not achieve a unanimous verdict on any fees.
On this yr’s trial, Masterson did not testify, and his attorneys did not name any witnesses. Masterson’s legal professionals mentioned what came about between him and the ladies was once consensual.
Masterson and his 3 accusers had been all participants of the Church of Scientology on the time of the incidents. The ladies testified that they reported Masterson to Scientology officers however had been discouraged from going to the police and feared being excommunicated. The church denied blocking off any individual from cooperating with government.
“I believe the jury believed that, they believed the narrative that the Church of Scientology and its participants would have retaliated towards them if that they had reported this,” CBS Information felony contributor Jessica Levinson mentioned following Masterson’s conviction. “And that’s the reason why they waited, and that’s the reason why they interacted with Danny Masterson in several tactics and endured to engage with him.”