That '70s Show actor Danny Masterson loses California appeal against rape convictions after claiming the judge was biased against Scientology
Danny Masterson, convicted in 2023 of raping two women at his Hollywood Hills home, had his 30-year-to-life sentence upheld after judges found no bias against Scientology at his trial.
Danny Masterson, 50, will serve his 30-years-to-life sentence after a three-judge California appeals panel unanimously rejected every ground of his challenge in an 89-page ruling on Tuesday. The 'That '70s Show' actor was convicted in 2023 of raping two women at his Hollywood Hills home in 2003; a jury had failed to reach a verdict at his first trial in 2022. His attorneys say they will now seek review at the California Supreme Court and file a separate habeas petition.
The court found the trial judge's handling of Scientology evidence showed 'no animus or departure from neutrality' toward the religion.
Church policies, prosecutors argued, had stopped the victims — former Scientology members — from going to police for years after the assaults.
Masterson's attorney Cliff Gardner said: 'Danny is serving a life sentence for crimes he did not commit.'
