<p>In the recent criminal case involving actor Danny Masterson, who was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison for sexual assault, notable figures from the entertainment industry&nbsp;including Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis, former co-stars of Masterson's in the popular TV series <em>That '70s Show</em>, submitted character reference letters to the court. These letters, dated between July and August, advocated for leniency in Masterson's sentencing and emphasised his commitment to discouraging drug use.</p>

<h2>Ashton&nbsp;Kutcher's letter</h2>

<p>Kutcher referred to Masterson as a "role model" with "exceptional character" in his letter. He credited Masterson with helping him stay away from the drug culture often associated with the entertainment industry. According to him, Masterson consistently advised against forming connections with individuals involved in drug use.</p>

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<h2>Mila Kunis' Letter</h2>

<p>Mila Kunis described Masterson as an "exceptional older brother figure" who had inspired her and others to prioritise a drug-free lifestyle. Kunis commended Masterson's unwavering dedication to promoting responsible choices within the entertainment world.</p>

<h2>Support from other 'That '70s Show' cast members</h2>

<p>Other co-stars from <em>That '70s Show</em>,&nbsp;including Kurtwood Smith, Debra Rupp, and David Trainer, echoed similar sentiments in their character reference letters. They emphasised that the cast had collectively decided to abstain from drug use during their time working on the show, largely due to Masterson's leadership and influence.</p>

<h2>What led to Danny Masterson's sentencing?</h2>

<p>Masterson's use of drugs to incapacitate his accusers played a crucial role in the criminal case against him. The victims testified that they had been offered drinks by Masterson, which quickly left them feeling intoxicated. Unlike the first trial, prosecutors were allowed to directly argue that Masterson had drugged his accusers, a development that may have contributed to his conviction in the retrial.</p>

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In the recent criminal case involving actor Danny Masterson, who was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison for sexual assault, notable figures from the entertainment industry including Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis, former co-stars of Masterson's in the popular TV series That '70s Show, submitted character reference letters to the court.

In the recent criminal case involving actor Danny Masterson, who was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison for sexual assault, notable figures from the entertainment industry including Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis, former co-stars of Masterson's in the popular TV series That '70s Show, submitted character reference letters to the court. These letters, dated between July and August, advocated for leniency in Masterson's sentencing and emphasised his commitment to discouraging drug use. Ashton Kutcher's letter Kutcher referred to Masterson as a "role model" with "exceptional character" in his letter. He credited Masterson with helping him stay away from the drug culture often associated with the entertainment industry. According to him, Masterson consistently advised against forming connections with individuals involved in drug use. Mila Kunis' Letter Mila Kunis described Masterson as an "exceptional older brother figure" who had inspired her and others to prioritise a drug-free lifestyle. Kunis commended Masterson's unwavering dedication to promoting responsible choices within the entertainment world. Support from other 'That '70s Show' cast members Other co-stars from That '70s Show, including Kurtwood Smith, Debra Rupp, and David Trainer, echoed similar sentiments in their character reference letters. They emphasised that the cast had collectively decided to abstain from drug use during their time working on the show, largely due to Masterson's leadership and influence. What led to Danny Masterson's sentencing? Masterson's use of drugs to incapacitate his accusers played a crucial role in the criminal case against him. The victims testified that they had been offered drinks by Masterson, which quickly left them feeling intoxicated. Unlike the first trial, prosecutors were allowed to directly argue that Masterson had drugged his accusers, a development that may have contributed to his conviction in the retrial. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis rallied for leniency in Danny Masterson's rape sentencing

<p>Danny Masterson, the actor best known for his role in the comedy television show <em>That '70s Show</em>, was found guilty on two out of three counts of rape in his second trial, reported the Associated Press. Masterson, 47, was taken into custody and led out of a Los Angeles courtroom in handcuffs after the jury announced the verdict. He faces 30 years of imprisonment. Masterson's wife, Bijou Phillips, reportedly reacted with shock and tears upon hearing the verdict, while his family and friends remained expressionless throughout both trials. After seven days of deliberation spread over two weeks, the jury, consisting of seven women and five men, reached their verdict.&nbsp;</p>

<p>They were unable to reach a verdict on the third count, which accused Masterson of raping a longtime girlfriend. The vote was 8-4 in favour of conviction.</p>

<h2><strong>What happens now in Danny Masterson's case?</strong></h2>

<p>Masterson will be held without bail until his sentencing. Although a date has not been set, the judge instructed Masterson and his lawyers to return to court on August 4 for a hearing.</p>

<h2><strong>Reaction of Danny Masterson's victims</strong></h2>

<p>One of the women, who was raped by Masterson at his home in 2003 and knew him as a fellow member of the Church, said, “I am experiencing a complex array of emotions — relief, exhaustion, strength, sadness — knowing that my abuser, Danny Masterson, will face accountability for his criminal behaviour."</p>

<p>The second woman, a former girlfriend whose count resulted in a deadlocked jury, stated that she was encouraged by Masterson facing some criminal punishment but devastated that he escaped accountability for his actions against her.</p>

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<h2><strong>Danny Masterson's reaction</strong></h2>

<p>Danny Masterson's spokesperson declined to comment, reported AP, but his attorneys are expected to appeal the verdict. Prosecutors retried Masterson after a previous mistrial due to a deadlocked jury in December. They accused him of forcibly raping three women in his Hollywood Hills home between 2001 and 2003, alleging that he drugged their drinks to facilitate the assaults. The prosecution argued that Masterson used his influence within the Church of Scientology, where all three women were also members at the time, to evade consequences for his actions over several decades.</p>

<h2><strong>The role of Church of Scientology</strong></h2>

<p>The Church of Scientology played a significant role in both trials, with expert testimony on church policy allowed in the second trial. Tensions arose in the courtroom between current and former Scientologists, and the accusers testified that they felt intimidated by some members present. Leah Remini, a prominent critic of the Church and a former member, attended the trial and showed support to one of the accusers during closing arguments.</p>

<p>Remini expressed relief on Twitter following the guilty verdicts, praising the courage of the women who survived Masterson's predatory behaviour.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
&nbsp;</p>

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Danny Masterson, the actor best known for his role in the comedy television show That '70s Show, was found guilty on two out of three counts of rape in his second trial, reported the Associated Press.

Danny Masterson, the actor best known for his role in the comedy television show That '70s Show, was found guilty on two out of three counts of rape in his second trial, reported the Associated Press. Masterson, 47, was taken into custody and led out of a Los Angeles courtroom in handcuffs after the jury announced the verdict. He faces 30 years of imprisonment. Masterson's wife, Bijou Phillips, reportedly reacted with shock and tears upon hearing the verdict, while his family and friends remained expressionless throughout both trials. After seven days of deliberation spread over two weeks, the jury, consisting of seven women and five men, reached their verdict. They were unable to reach a verdict on the third count, which accused Masterson of raping a longtime girlfriend. The vote was 8-4 in favour of conviction. What happens now in Danny Masterson's case? Masterson will be held without bail until his sentencing. Although a date has not been set, the judge instructed Masterson and his lawyers to return to court on August 4 for a hearing. Reaction of Danny Masterson's victims One of the women, who was raped by Masterson at his home in 2003 and knew him as a fellow member of the Church, said, “I am experiencing a complex array of emotions — relief, exhaustion, strength, sadness — knowing that my abuser, Danny Masterson, will face accountability for his criminal behaviour." The second woman, a former girlfriend whose count resulted in a deadlocked jury, stated that she was encouraged by Masterson facing some criminal punishment but devastated that he escaped accountability for his actions against her. Danny Masterson's reaction Danny Masterson's spokesperson declined to comment, reported AP, but his attorneys are expected to appeal the verdict. Prosecutors retried Masterson after a previous mistrial due to a deadlocked jury in December. They accused him of forcibly raping three women in his Hollywood Hills home between 2001 and 2003, alleging that he drugged their drinks to facilitate the assaults. The prosecution argued that Masterson used his influence within the Church of Scientology, where all three women were also members at the time, to evade consequences for his actions over several decades. The role of Church of Scientology The Church of Scientology played a significant role in both trials, with expert testimony on church policy allowed in the second trial. Tensions arose in the courtroom between current and former Scientologists, and the accusers testified that they felt intimidated by some members present. Leah Remini, a prominent critic of the Church and a former member, attended the trial and showed support to one of the accusers during closing arguments. Remini expressed relief on Twitter following the guilty verdicts, praising the courage of the women who survived Masterson's predatory behaviour. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Danny Masterson found guilty on two rape charges, faces 30 years in prison

<p>A judge declared a mistrial Wednesday at the rape trial of “That ’70s Show” actor Danny Masterson after jurors, who were leaning strongly toward acquitting him, deadlocked following the monthlong trial in which the Church of Scientology played a supporting role.</p>

<p>Prosecutors said Masterson raped three women, including a former girlfriend, in his Hollywood Hills home between 2001 and 2003 and the church dissuaded them from going public for years. Masterson, 46, pleaded not guilty and his lawyer said the acts were all consensual.</p>

<p>“I find the jurors hopelessly deadlocked,” Judge Charlaine Olmedo declared after the jury foreman said there was nothing the court could do to move them closer to reaching a unanimous decision. She set a March date for a retrial in Los Angeles Superior Court.</p>

<p>Also Read:&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lawsuit-against-actor-danny-masterson-must-be-arbitrated-through-the-church-of-scientology-orders-judge-353968">Lawsuit against actor Danny Masterson must be arbitrated through the Church of Scientology, orders Judge</a></strong></p>

<p>Olmedo had ordered jurors to take Thanksgiving week off and keep deliberating after they said on Nov. 18 that they could not reach a consensus. A jury of six women and six men began deliberations anew Monday after alternates replaced two jurors who were diagnosed with COVID-19 over the break.</p>

<p>Jurors voted seven times Tuesday and Wednesday without being able to reach consensus on any of the three counts, the foreman said. Two jurors voted for conviction on the first count, four voted for conviction on the second count and five voted to convict on the third count.</p>

<p>The result was a serious setback for prosecutors, and for the three women who said they were seeking long overdue justice and provided emotional and graphic testimony over several days.</p>

<p>Two of the alleged victims in the case issued a statement saying they were disappointed “Masterson has evaded criminal accountability for his deplorable acts. However, we are collectively resolved to continue our fight for justice.”</p>

<p>All three women were members of the church at the time, and Masterson remains one.</p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/epCvKyjH7g8" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>

<p>Two of the women and the husband of one are suing Masterson, the Church of Scientology, its leader David Miscavige and others for allegedly stalking, harassing and intimidating them after they sought to expose Masterson.</p>

<p>Masterson left court with his wife, actor and model Bijou Phillips, without speaking to reporters. He was accompanied to court many days by members of his showbiz family as well as his sisters-in-law: actor Mackenzie Phillips and singer and actress Chynna Phillips, and her husband, actor William Baldwin.</p>

<p>The proceedings took place amid a flurry of cases on both coasts with #MeToo connotations, including the Los Angeles trial of Harvey Weinstein just down the hall from Masterson’s. In New York, Kevin Spacey won a sexual misconduct lawsuit brought by actor&nbsp;<br />
Anthony Rapp in New York, and a jury ordered director and screenwriter Paul Haggis to pay $10 million in a civil case there.</p>

<p>But at the Masterson trial, as at the Haggis trial, #MeToo implications were largely eclipsed by the specter of Scientology, despite the judge’s insistence that the church not become a de facto defendant.</p>

<p>Deputy District Attorney Reinhold Mueller said the church had tried to silence the women and that was the reason it took two decades for the case to get to trial.</p>

<p>Masterson attorney Philip Cohen said the church was mentioned 700 times during trial and argued that it became an excuse for the prosecution’s failure to build a believable case against Masterson, a prominent Scientologist.</p>

<p>Church spokesperson Karin Pouw said Mueller had misrepresented church doctrine and beliefs and the Jane Does made false allegations about Scientology.</p>

<p>“There is zero truth to any of the testimony that the church has harassed or stalked the Jane Does,” Pouw said.</p>

<p>Cohen said he would file a motion to dismiss the case, based on the way the jury voted. He said jurors provided additional insights after the mistrial ruling that were helpful but wouldn’t discuss what they told him.</p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vomQq4tIsHg" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>

<p>“You always wonder as a lawyer if what you’re doing in court every day is making any inroads ... with the jury,” Cohen said. “Clearly we made inroads.”</p>

<p>The district attorney’s office said in a statement that it was disappointed with the outcome and would consider its next steps. It thanked the women for “bravely stepping forward and recounting their harrowing experiences.”</p>

<p>Jurors were escorted out of the courthouse without speaking with reporters.</p>

<p>Masterson did not testify. Cohen presented no defense testimony and instead focused on inconsistencies in the accounts of the three accusers, who he said changed their stories over time and spoke with each other before going to police.</p>

<p>“The key to this case is not when they reported it,” Cohen said during closing arguments. “It’s what they said when they reported it. What they said after they reported it. And what they said at trial.”</p>

<p>Mueller argued that Masterson was a man “for whom ‘no’ never meant ‘no.’”</p>
<img alt="danny masterson" data-caption="Actor Danny Masterson leaves Los Angeles superior Court with his wife Bijou Phillips after a judge declared a mistrial in his rape case in Los Angeles on Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022. Jurors said they were hopelessly deadlocked at the trial of &quot;That '70s Show&quot; actor who was charged with the rape of three women, including a former girlfriend, between 2001 and 2003." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0a5383f6-8ff5-4bba-ab59-6e452cc2fd80" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/danny%20masterson%20%281%29.png" />
<p>Two women said they were served drinks by Masterson and became woozy or passed out before being violently raped. One said she thought she would die as Masterson held a pillow over her face.</p>

<p>An ex-girlfriend said she awoke to finding Masterson having sex with her without her consent. The defense said her claims were undermined because she later had sex with him after they broke up.</p>

<p>Cohen told jurors they could acquit Masterson if they thought he “actually and reasonably believed” the women consented to having sex. Mueller countered that nobody would believe the acts described were consensual, reminding jurors that one woman repeatedly told him “no,” pulled his hair and tried to get out from under him.</p>

<p>Mueller told jurors not to be swayed by defense speculation and said contradictions in the victims’ testimony were signs of authenticity as opposed to accounts that had been scripted.</p>

<p>The charges date to a period when Masterson was at the height of his fame, starring from 1998 until 2006 as Steven Hyde on Fox’s “That ’70s Show.” The show made stars of Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis and Topher Grace and is getting an upcoming Netflix reboot with “That ’90s Show.”</p>

<p>Masterson had reunited with Kutcher on the Netflix comedy “The Ranch” but was written off the show when an LAPD investigation was revealed in December 2017.</p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>


A judge declared a mistrial Wednesday at the rape trial of “That ’70s Show” actor Danny Masterson after jurors, who were leaning strongly toward acquitting him, deadlocked following the monthlong trial in which the Church of Scientology played a supporting role.

A judge declared a mistrial Wednesday at the rape trial of “That ’70s Show” actor Danny Masterson after jurors, who were leaning strongly toward acquitting him, deadlocked following the monthlong trial in which the Church of Scientology played a supporting role. Prosecutors said Masterson raped three women, including a former girlfriend, in his Hollywood Hills home between 2001 and 2003 and the church dissuaded them from going public for years. Masterson, 46, pleaded not guilty and his lawyer said the acts were all consensual. “I find the jurors hopelessly deadlocked,” Judge Charlaine Olmedo declared after the jury foreman said there was nothing the court could do to move them closer to reaching a unanimous decision. She set a March date for a retrial in Los Angeles Superior Court. Also Read: Lawsuit against actor Danny Masterson must be arbitrated through the Church of Scientology, orders Judge Olmedo had ordered jurors to take Thanksgiving week off and keep deliberating after they said on Nov. 18 that they could not reach a consensus. A jury of six women and six men began deliberations anew Monday after alternates replaced two jurors who were diagnosed with COVID-19 over the break. Jurors voted seven times Tuesday and Wednesday without being able to reach consensus on any of the three counts, the foreman said. Two jurors voted for conviction on the first count, four voted for conviction on the second count and five voted to convict on the third count. The result was a serious setback for prosecutors, and for the three women who said they were seeking long overdue justice and provided emotional and graphic testimony over several days. Two of the alleged victims in the case issued a statement saying they were disappointed “Masterson has evaded criminal accountability for his deplorable acts. However, we are collectively resolved to continue our fight for justice.” All three women were members of the church at the time, and Masterson remains one. Two of the women and the husband of one are suing Masterson, the Church of Scientology, its leader David Miscavige and others for allegedly stalking, harassing and intimidating them after they sought to expose Masterson. Masterson left court with his wife, actor and model Bijou Phillips, without speaking to reporters. He was accompanied to court many days by members of his showbiz family as well as his sisters-in-law: actor Mackenzie Phillips and singer and actress Chynna Phillips, and her husband, actor William Baldwin. The proceedings took place amid a flurry of cases on both coasts with #MeToo connotations, including the Los Angeles trial of Harvey Weinstein just down the hall from Masterson’s. In New York, Kevin Spacey won a sexual misconduct lawsuit brought by actor Anthony Rapp in New York, and a jury ordered director and screenwriter Paul Haggis to pay $10 million in a civil case there. But at the Masterson trial, as at the Haggis trial, #MeToo implications were largely eclipsed by the specter of Scientology, despite the judge’s insistence that the church not become a de facto defendant. Deputy District Attorney Reinhold Mueller said the church had tried to silence the women and that was the reason it took two decades for the case to get to trial. Masterson attorney Philip Cohen said the church was mentioned 700 times during trial and argued that it became an excuse for the prosecution’s failure to build a believable case against Masterson, a prominent Scientologist. Church spokesperson Karin Pouw said Mueller had misrepresented church doctrine and beliefs and the Jane Does made false allegations about Scientology. “There is zero truth to any of the testimony that the church has harassed or stalked the Jane Does,” Pouw said. Cohen said he would file a motion to dismiss the case, based on the way the jury voted. He said jurors provided additional insights after the mistrial ruling that were helpful but wouldn’t discuss what they told him. “You always wonder as a lawyer if what you’re doing in court every day is making any inroads ... with the jury,” Cohen said. “Clearly we made inroads.” The district attorney’s office said in a statement that it was disappointed with the outcome and would consider its next steps. It thanked the women for “bravely stepping forward and recounting their harrowing experiences.” Jurors were escorted out of the courthouse without speaking with reporters. Masterson did not testify. Cohen presented no defense testimony and instead focused on inconsistencies in the accounts of the three accusers, who he said changed their stories over time and spoke with each other before going to police. “The key to this case is not when they reported it,” Cohen said during closing arguments. “It’s what they said when they reported it. What they said after they reported it. And what they said at trial.” Mueller argued that Masterson was a man “for whom ‘no’ never meant ‘no.’” Two women said they were served drinks by Masterson and became woozy or passed out before being violently raped. One said she thought she would die as Masterson held a pillow over her face. An ex-girlfriend said she awoke to finding Masterson having sex with her without her consent. The defense said her claims were undermined because she later had sex with him after they broke up. Cohen told jurors they could acquit Masterson if they thought he “actually and reasonably believed” the women consented to having sex. Mueller countered that nobody would believe the acts described were consensual, reminding jurors that one woman repeatedly told him “no,” pulled his hair and tried to get out from under him. Mueller told jurors not to be swayed by defense speculation and said contradictions in the victims’ testimony were signs of authenticity as opposed to accounts that had been scripted. The charges date to a period when Masterson was at the height of his fame, starring from 1998 until 2006 as Steven Hyde on Fox’s “That ’70s Show.” The show made stars of Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis and Topher Grace and is getting an upcoming Netflix reboot with “That ’90s Show.” Masterson had reunited with Kutcher on the Netflix comedy “The Ranch” but was written off the show when an LAPD investigation was revealed in December 2017.

Danny Masterson rape case: Judge declares mistrial after juror deadlock

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Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis rallied for leniency in Danny Masterson's rape sentencing

Danny Masterson found guilty on two rape charges, faces 30 years in prison

Danny Masterson rape case: Judge declares mistrial after juror deadlock