Rape Cases: US actor Danny Masterson sentenced to 30 years to life

Masterson's Sentencing for Sexual Assault

American actor Danny Masterson has been sentenced to 30 years to life in prison for the sexual assault of two women. The assaults occurred in the early 2000s, while Masterson was known for his role in the TV series "That '70s Show."

Use of Prominence and Scientology in Legal Defense
Prosecutors argued that Masterson, who is 47 years old, leveraged his prominent status as a member of the Church of Scientology to evade legal consequences for his actions.

Retrial and Flight Risk
Masterson's conviction came in May, following a retrial prompted by the inability of the initial 2022 jury to reach a verdict. Due to concerns that he might flee, Masterson was taken into custody after his conviction.

Details of the Sexual Assault Allegations
The convictions against Masterson stemmed from allegations made by three women, who testified that he sexually assaulted them at his Hollywood residence between 2001 and 2003, a period coinciding with his television career peak. Evidence presented during the trial indicated that Masterson had provided drugs to the victims before the assaults.

The outcome of the Trial
Masterson was found guilty of rape in the cases of two of the three accusers. However, the charges related to the third accuser resulted in a mistrial. Prosecutors have confirmed that they do not plan to pursue a new trial for these particular charges.