California Court: Masterson Convictions Stand

A California appeals court ruled on Tuesday that actor Danny Masterson’s rape convictions will stand. The three-judge panel issued a unanimous decision, denying his request for a new trial and rejecting his claim that his lawyers provided ineffective assistance.

The 89-page ruling dismissed several legal arguments made by Masterson's team. The judges found that the trial court did not err in excluding favorable evidence or in handling the statute of limitations. The panel also rejected the argument that the judge showed bias against Masterson’s religion.

Masterson was convicted in 2023 of raping two women at his home in 2003. His first trial in 2022 ended with a deadlocked jury. He was subsequently sentenced to 30 years to life in prison. He has served his time at the California Men’s Colony in San Luis Obispo.

The case drew attention due to Masterson’s role in the Church of Scientology. His accusers, both former members, stated that church officials told them the assaults were not rape and that internal policies discouraged them from contacting police. The church strongly denied the existence of such a policy.

Masterson’s attorneys said in an emailed statement on Tuesday that they plan to ask the California Supreme Court to review the case. The actor, who is 50, will not be eligible for parole for at least 20 more years.

Masterson rose to fame on the sitcom “That ’70s Show” from 1998 to 2006. He later appeared in the 2016 Netflix series “The Ranch” alongside Ashton Kutcher but was removed from the show after the allegations became public.