After That '70s Show star Danny Masterson was convicted in May of raping two women more than 20 years ago, his fate has finally been handed down. On Thursday, a judge sentenced Masterson to 30 years to life in prison in Los Angeles. His sentencing comes after a trial that was ultimately deemed a mistrial, followed by a retrial earlier this year that led to him being found guilty on two of the three rape charges he faced. All three of the women who have accused him were formerly part of the church of Scientology.
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Masterson was convicted at a retrial in May.
When the 47-year-old actor's first trial ended in November 2022, it was declared a mistrial after jurors ended up in a deadlock, unable to decide whether he was guilty. Months later, Masterson was ultimately convicted of raping two of the three women — all of whom went by Jane Doe — who accused him.
The women who accused Masterson were present at the sentencing.
Although Masterson chose not to speak, all three Jane Does made statements at the hearing, according to NBC News.
"When you raped me, you stole from me. That’s what rape is, a theft of the spirit," Jane Doe #2 said. "You are pathetic, disturbed and completely violent. The world is better off with you in prison."
In June 2020, the women came forward to accuse Masterson of drugging their drinks and raping them at his Hollywood Home between 2001 and 2003 after years of sexual assault rumors plagued him.
Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Charlaine Olmedo handed down the sentence.
The 30 years to life sentence Masterson received is the maximum allowed by law for his crimes. As the Associated Press reported, this means that he'll be behind bars for 25 1/2 years before he is eligible for parole but could still potentially spend life in prison.
"I know that you’re sitting here steadfast in your claims of innocence, and thus no doubt feeling victimized by a justice system that has failed you. But Mr. Masterson, you are not the victim here," Olmedo said. "Your actions 20 years ago took away another person’s voice, and choice. One way or another you will have to come to terms with your prior actions, and their consequences."
Masterson's wife was in the courtroom.
Masterson has been married to actress Bijou Phillips since 2011, and they share a 9-year-old daughter, Fianna. Phillips was in the courtroom and put on sunglasses after the sentence was officially announced and quietly left "without a word," NBC News reported.
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Throughout the trials, Masterson has maintained his innocence.
In a statement, one of Masterson's lawyers, Shawn Holley, said he believed that the jury made the wrong decision.
"Mr. Masterson did not commit the crimes for which he has been convicted and we and the appellate lawyers — the best and the brightest in the country — are confident that these convictions will be overturned," he said, according to NBC News.
