Danny Masterson, best known for his role on "That '70s Show," has been sentenced to 30 years to life in prison. The sentence comes four months after he was convicted on two of the three rape charges he faced in a retrial in Los Angeles.
Masterson, 47, was initially charged with raping three women, identified in court as Jane Doe #1, Jane Doe #2, and Jane Doe #3, between 2001 and 2003.
His first trial concluded in November 2022 with a mistrial, as jurors leaned towards acquittal. However, his second trial resulted in convictions for raping Jane Doe #1 and Jane Doe #2, while he was acquitted of charges related to Jane Doe #3.
All three accusers are former members of the Church of Scientology, to which Masterson still belongs. During the retrial, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Charlaine Olmedo emphasized that the Church of Scientology was not on trial.
However, she allowed witnesses to testify that church officials had pressured them not to speak to the police about the rape allegations. Scientology spokesperson Karin Pouw has consistently denied these claims, stating that church doctrine requires members to "abide by all the laws of the land."
The case has attracted significant media attention, partly due to Masterson's celebrity status and his affiliation with the Church of Scientology. The sentence marks a significant chapter in a legal saga that has been fraught with controversy and public interest.
