Danny Masterson, the former That ’70s Show actor, is appealing his 2023 rape conviction, which resulted in a 30-year prison sentence. Masterson’s legal team argues that his trial was fundamentally flawed, leading to an unfair verdict. They claim inconsistencies in the plaintiffs’ testimonies and suggest the case was partially intended as an attack on the Church of Scientology, of which Masterson is a prominent member.
Key Arguments in the Appeal
In a 242-page legal brief filed by defense attorneys Cliff Gardner and Lazuli Whitt, Masterson’s team demands the guilty verdict be overturned. They allege that:
- The jury’s perception of the evidence was biased due to the plaintiffs’ shifting narratives.
- The trial excluded crucial exculpatory evidence.
- Decisions made by the presiding judge compromised Masterson’s right to a fair trial.
The attorneys state, “A defendant is not entitled to a perfect trial but is entitled to a fair one. Danny Masterson received neither. Reversal is required.”
The Allegations
The accusations against Masterson come from three women, all former Scientologists, who claim he raped them over 20 years ago. They testified that Masterson gave them drinks that made them feel disoriented before the alleged assaults.
The plaintiffs also described facing intimidation and threats from the Church of Scientology after leaving the organization. The Church has denied any involvement, stating after the conviction, “The Church was not a party to this case, and religion did not belong in this proceeding, as established by Supreme Court precedent.”
Mistrial and Lack of Physical Evidence
The filing highlights the mistrial in 2022 when a jury was deadlocked, with 10 jurors voting “not guilty” and only two believing Masterson was guilty. His lawyers argue that the second trial also lacked physical evidence and was instead a “credibility contest” between Masterson and the plaintiffs.
Masterson insists the encounters were consensual, a claim sharply contrasted by the plaintiffs’ testimonies. One woman stated that Masterson raped her so violently she vomited, while another described him holding a gun and suffocating her with a pillowcase during the assault.
Current Status
After his sentencing, Masterson was briefly incarcerated at Corcoran State Prison but has since been transferred to California’s Men’s Colony, a lower-security facility in San Luis Obispo.
Masterson’s appeal underscores the high stakes for both the actor and his accusers in a case that continues to attract significant public and legal scrutiny.