Los Angeles, CA – Former “That ’70s Show” actor Danny Masterson, 47, has been handed a 30-year prison sentence for the rape of two women at his Los Angeles residence in the early 2000s. The sentencing took place on Thursday, with Masterson opting not to address the court or testify during the proceedings. Presiding Judge Charlaine Olmedo, after hearing emotional statements from the victims and meticulously dismantling Masterson’s defense, announced the sentence, a move described by legal journalist Meghann Cuniff as a verbal dissection of the actor’s claims. Expressing their disappointment, Masterson’s attorney confirmed their intention to appeal the verdict.
“In this courtroom, Mr. Masterson, you are not the victim. Your actions two decades ago robbed another individual of their autonomy and silenced their voice. Your actions from 20 years ago are considered criminal, and that is why you find yourself here today,” declared Olmedo from the bench.
Olmedo acknowledged Masterson’s possible bewilderment regarding the convictions for incidents that transpired two decades ago, involving a woman whom he believed held a grudge and bore animosity toward him.
“You were not convicted based on the testimony of one individual,” Judge Olmedo continued, as reported by Cuniff. “You were not convicted on the basis of hearsay, rumors, idle chatter, or speculation. You were convicted because 12 members of the community found the evidence to be credible. … You were convicted because each victim promptly reported the assaults to someone after they occurred.”
Masterson now faces a prison sentence ranging from 30 years to life. The court rejected the defense’s request for concurrent sentences, which would have resulted in a 15-year term. Actress Bijou Phillips, Masterson’s wife and a prominent Scientologist, was seen in tears at the outset of the hearing.
Prior to the sentencing, two of Masterson’s victims delivered emotionally charged victim impact statements in court. One of them, identified only as N. Trout in accordance with court procedure, confronted Masterson, stating, “You take pleasure in causing harm to women. It’s your addiction. Undoubtedly, it’s your favorite thing to do,” as reported by Cuniff. Trout continued, “Life is precious and fragile. Find your humanity. Embrace silence and seek healing. I forgive you.”
Danny Masterson, renowned for his role as Steven Hyde on “That ’70s Show,” faced charges of forcibly raping three women, identified as N. Trout, Jennifer B., and Chrissy B., spanning the years 2001 to 2003. Following a mistrial in 2022, prosecutors brought the case back to court earlier this year. On May 31, a second jury found Masterson guilty of sexually assaulting Jen B. and N. Trout. However, the panel remained deadlocked on the third count, which involved Chrissy B, the actor’s long-term girlfriend.
Chrissy’s written statement was read by prosecutors, while Jennifer spoke in court. Jennifer commended the Los Angeles Police Department for their extensive investigation into Masterson, which she described as a challenging endeavor. She also voiced concerns about alleged interference by the Church of Scientology.
“Our journey has been marked by efforts to silence us, intimidate us, and even obstruct us,” she stated, as reported by Cuniff. Jennifer emphasized that Masterson would now be held accountable in a “real court,” rather than within Scientology’s well-known Celebrity Centre in Hollywood, California.
Throughout both trials, the Church of Scientology loomed large, with Masterson’s three accusers, all former Scientologists, asserting that they had faced harassment and threats from church officials after coming forward to authorities. The church, in contrast, vehemently denied these allegations and claimed to be unjustly targeted by prosecutors.
