US actor Danny Masterson, known for his role in "That '70s Show," has been sentenced to serve 30 years to life in prison for the rape of two women. The sentencing comes after Masterson was found guilty at a re-trial in May, following the first jury's inability to reach a verdict in 2022.
The victims of Masterson's crimes were allowed to read impact statements in court ahead of his sentencing. Prominent former Scientologist and actress Leah Remini attended the hearing to support the survivors.
One of the victims expressed regret for not reporting the crimes earlier, stating, "I wished I had reported him earlier to the police." Another victim forgave Masterson, saying, "Your sickness is no longer mine to bear." Masterson remained silent throughout the hearing.
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Masterson, 47, was convicted of sexually assaulting three women at his Hollywood home from 2001 to 2003, a period during which he was a television star. The jury heard testimony that he had given drugs to the victims before the assaults. He was found guilty of rape against two of the three accusers, while charges brought by the third accuser resulted in a mistrial, with no plans to retry the case.
The actor's conviction led to his immediate incarceration, as he was considered a flight risk. Throughout the trial, prosecutors argued that the Church of Scientology had played a role in covering up the assaults. All three accusers, including Masterson, were Scientologists at the time of the attacks. Some survivors revealed they had been discouraged by Church officials from reporting the rapes to the police.
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During the trial, both sides were allowed to discuss Scientology's dogma and practices, which stirred controversy within the organization. The Church of Scientology has consistently denied any involvement in covering up the assaults.
The sentencing also shed light on the impact on the survivors' lives, including being shunned by their families who are still practicing Scientologists. One victim described how her mother had warned her about Masterson's actions but later cut off contact, choosing her religion over supporting her daughter.
Masterson was initially accused of rape in 2017 during the #MeToo movement's height. He consistently denied the allegations, asserting that the encounters were consensual.
The sentencing hearing was attended by Jessica Barth, the founder of Voices in Action, a non-profit organization established in the wake of the #MeToo movement. Barth was among the women who accused Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein of abuse, and her organization encourages others to report abuse.
Before the hearing, Masterson's defense team's motion for a new trial was denied by the judge.
The case has drawn attention not only for the severity of the sentencing but also for its implications concerning the Church of Scientology's involvement and the ongoing conversation around sexual assault in the entertainment industry.
