- Danny Masterson was fired from ‘The Ranch’ on Netflix as soon as the allegations have been delivered to mild.
- The retrial for Danny Masterson started on April 24, 2023. He was discovered responsible of two counts of rape in May 2023.
- Danny Masterson was sentenced to 30 years in jail for the costs on Sep. 7, 2023.
- In December of 2023, first mugshots from jail have been launched.
Danny Masteron was sentenced to 30 years in jail for 2 counts of rape on Thursday, Sep. 7, 2023. The actor, 47, was discovered responsible of two rape prices in May 2023, after he was accused by three ladies. While the jury couldn’t attain a verdict on one of many ladies’s accusations, the costs got here from the opposite two ladies. The decide gave Danny a 15-year to life sentence for every rely he was discovered responsible of, and he’ll serve the sentences consecutively.
Now that he’s been sentenced, discover out every thing you’ll want to learn about Danny and the trial that led to the responsible verdict right here.
Danny Is Found Guilty & Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison
The Ranch actor was discovered responsible of two counts of forcible rape on May 31, 2023. The jury deadlocked on the third rely although. Danny was sentenced to the utmost sentence of 30 years in jail for the 2 counts. He was given 15 years to life for every cost, and he’ll serve out each sentences consecutively. “Mr. Masterson, you are not the victim here. Your actions 20 years ago took away another person’s voice and choice. Your actions 20 years ago were criminal, and that is why you are here,” the decide mentioned at his sentencing, per Variety.
Danny is now within the North Kern State Prison in Delano, California. The Los Angeles County Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation launched a primary mugshot of Danny on December 27, 2023, per Page Six. In the pictures, the actor wore an orange jail jumpsuit over a beige t shirt, and his eyes gave the impression to be bloodshot. His hair and beard had additionally grown out considerably.
Details From The Retrial
The retrial for his rape case started on Monday, April 24. Los Angeles Deputy District Attorney Reinhold Mueller delivered his opening remarks, detailing the allegations, which led to a number of prices of rape from three ladies, per Deadline. The prosecutor spoke about what half the Church of Scientology allegedly performed within the ladies coming ahead initially of the brand new trial and shared comparable particulars to the unique opening arguments.
The former That 70s Show star’s trial for 3 rape prices started on Tuesday, October 11, and on Nov. 30, 2022, a decide declared a hung jury, simply days after it was reported that the jurors couldn’t attain a verdict a couple of days earlier than, in accordance with Variety. The decide suggested them to start out from scratch after Thanksgiving break and two jurors have been changed with alternates, because of the authentic two getting COVID on Nov. 28. After the brand new jury informed the decide their votes on Nov. 30, it was concluded Danny couldn’t get a conviction as a result of, based mostly on California’s statute of limitations, which doesn’t permit particular person sexual assault allegations as previous as those in opposition to Danny to be prosecuted, he wanted to be discovered responsible in at the very least two of the charged circumstances, The Wrap reported. It was due to this fact, deemed a mistrial. However, on Jan. 6, 2023, Danny requested the courtroom’s to make use of their “discretion” and dismiss the costs in opposition to him, per The Hollywood Reporter.
The actor was accused by three ladies of sexual assault again in 2017, and the ladies filed a lawsuit in opposition to him in 2019. The following 12 months, Danny was arrested on three prices of rape from circumstances in 2003. Danny has moved for the case to be thrown out, however he has not succeeded. A trial was initially scheduled to start in Los Angeles in August, but it surely was delayed till October.
With the trial, Danny’s connection in addition to three of his victims’ connections to Scientology has been shoved to the forefront of the trial. However, this angered Judge Charlaine Olmedo, who doesn’t need Scientology to be on the middle of debate. During a break on Oct. 18, she acknowledged (by way of Variety), “I understand these witnesses’ lives may have been completely inundated with Scientology. This trial is not going to be inundated with Scientology.”
One of the brand new factors that the prosecutor introduced ahead within the trial was an allegation that Danny had drugged the three ladies who’ve accused him of rape. Reinhold can also be anticipated to name Kathleen Jenkins, who is just not one of many Jane Does but additionally alleged that Danny raped her in 2000 at a celebration for Dracula 2000. He additionally detailed the alleged function that the Church of Scientology performed in stopping the ladies, who’re all former members, from coming ahead. Reinhold mentioned that the church has an “internal justice system,” and turns a chilly shoulder to those that go to exterior legislation enforcement for assist. “If you’re a member of the church and you have an issue (like a rape) with another member … you are not permitted to go to law enforcement,” he mentioned, per Deadline.
Leah Remini, who has been a longtime critic of Scientology since leaving the church in 2013, was additionally seated within the entrance row in courtroom on Monday, April 24. The King Of Queens actress, 53, was reportedly subpoenaed by the protection and could also be known as on to testify as a “percipient witness to certain conversations,” in accordance with one of many protection attorneys. Prosecutors can also name her as a witness because it pertains to Jane Doe #1.
How the First Trial Ended
On the second day in courtroom, the primary witness, a girl who accused Danny of rape and needed to be recognized as Jane Doe #1, took to the stand the place she recalled the alleged 2003 assault by way of tears, in accordance with Deadline. Jane Doe #1 mentioned she was violently raped in Danny’s Los Feliz dwelling. “He was on top of me, his penis was inside of me …and that is what I awoke to,” she defined, the outlet reported. After Jane Doe #1 broke down in tears and repeatedly mentioned on the stand, “I can’t do this,” the decide known as for a recess. Jane Doe # 1 accomplished her testimony after the break.
The legal trial in opposition to the actor started on October 11. The trial is separate from the civil lawsuit filed by 4 of Danny’s victims, who’re additionally suing the Church of Scientology. The ladies have additionally spoken out in opposition to the church. During the early levels, Judge Olmedo commented on the function of the controversial church in a pre-trial listening to, per Variety. “This is not going to become a trial on Scientology,” she mentioned.
On Nov. 14, over a month after the start of the trial, by which the opposite two Jane Does in addition to a fourth lady, who accused Danny of rape, additionally testified, the actor opted to not testify in his personal protection because the trial was near conclusion, Variety reported. Judge Olmedo requested him if he had an opportunity to debate his determination together with his attorneys, and he confirmed that he had. The trial went into its closing arguments the next day and the jury went on to deliberate the decision.
“Mr. Masterson has been sitting here in court for the last four weeks or so. He’s always well dressed and well groomed,” Deputy District Attorney Reinhold Mueller informed the jury and courtroom gallery on Nov.15, in accordance with The Wrap. “I can assure you these victims have a different image.”
“For them, he was someone who was the center of this circular world, group of friends, he was the upstat, he was the guy who would have parties at his house, say ‘Come over, have a drink!,’” Reinhold continued. “He was the guy who would spin a record, give you a drink, invite you to spend the night if you were drunk just to be safe. But if you were a young woman – which these victims were at the time – you were far from safe. Because if you were incapacitated in his bed, he would rape you.”
Defense Attorney Philip Cohen additionally made statements in the course of the closing arguments, Variety additional reported, and talked concerning the “contradictions” within the case, and prompt that prosecutors used Scientology as a crutch. “We heard Scientology over and dover again, so much so it became the go-to excuse. When someone got contradicted or forgot something Scientology is brought up,” he mentioned. He additionally went on to focus on points in every Jane Doe’s testimonies.
As the jury set off to make their determination on the finish of the closing arguments, Danny’s spouse, Bijou Phillips, who sat with him all through the trial, apparently needed to depart and wiped her face with a tissue. It was the one time she confirmed outward emotion throughout her time within the courtroom.
The jury informed Judge Olmedo that they’re “unable to reach a unanimous decision on any of the counts” in opposition to the actor in a be aware on Nov. 18, in accordance with Variety. They have been in deliberations for 3 days. However, she informed the jurors that they haven’t deliberated lengthy sufficient to declare a mistrial and instructed them to satisfy again on Nov. 28, after a weeklong break over the Thanksgiving vacation.
Unsurprisingly, Danny’s protection staff mentioned there has absolutely been sufficient time. They additionally claimed the Thanksgiving break would give jurors a chance to speak concerning the case with relations, which can affect their views on the trial.
On Nov. 30, the decide declared a hung jury after the jurors mentioned they couldn’t come to a unanimous determination. “We are not even close to coming to a unanimous decision on any count, and are convinced this will not change,” a letter from the jury to the decide learn, in accordance with Variety. The jurors additionally reportedly suggested the decide how they voted for every rely and it included two for responsible and 10 for not responsible on Count 1; 4 for responsible and eight for not responsible on Count 2; and 5 for responsible and 7 for not responsible on Count 3.
More lately, on Jan. 6, 2023, it got here to mild that Danny requested that the Los Angeles decide have the costs in opposition to him dismissed after the jury couldn’t attain a verdict on Nov. 30, 2022. Judge Olmedo declared a mistrial, as talked about above, on Nov. 30 and set a brand new trial date for March. In a submitting obtained by The Hollywood Reporter on Jan. 6, Danny’s lawyer, Philip Cohen, famous that the defendant has a proper to “invite the court to exercise its discretion.” The submitting learn: “If the evidence will not materially change and a retrial is likely to result in acquittal or another hung jury, the fact suggests that dismissal would be in the interest of justice,” Philip wrote.
The lawyer went on, “Immediately following the pronouncement of a hung jury, the deliberating jurors, as well as the alternate, spoke freely and candidly in the jury room with all trial counsel. The clear sentiment of the jurors, virtually to a person, was that there were significant evidentiary and credibility problems with the government’s case. And while there was disagreement as to the ultimate vote, on one thing the jurors all appeared to agree — no reasonable jury was ever going to come to a unanimous finding of guilt on any count.”
He additionally famous {that a} future trial would seemingly not be “significantly different.” Danny’s lawyer concluded with the next: “Because there is absolutely no reason to conclude that this jury did anything other than its job, or that any future trial would be significantly different, this Court doesn’t just have the power to dismiss this case under [California Penal Code section 1385] as granted it by the Legislature, but it ‘should exercise’ such powers in the interests of justice.’” The subsequent listening to will happen on Jan. 10.
The Charges Against Danny Masterson
Sexual assault allegations have been first introduced in opposition to Danny in March 2017 Three ladies accused the actor of sexually assaulting them, though the That 70s Show star has denied the claims. After the claims got here out, The Mars Volta frontman Cedric Bixler-Zavala got here ahead and mentioned that his spouse Chrissie Carnell Bixler was one of many victims in a since-deleted tweet. Danny was fired from the Netflix collection The Ranch in December 2017. Shortly after his firing, Bobette Riales got here ahead to accuse him of raping her. Two years after the investigation was launched, 4 ladies, two of whom have been listed as Jane Does, in addition to Chrissie and Bobette, filed a lawsuit in opposition to Danny and the Church of Scientology, citing stalking and harassment.
Following the 2019 submitting, Danny singled out one of many victims and mentioned he was ready for the authorized battle from the lawsuit. “I will beat her in court — and look forward to it because the public will finally be able learn the truth and see how I’ve been railroaded by this woman. And once her lawsuit is thrown out, I intend to sue her and the others who jumped on the bandwagon for the damage they caused me and my family,” he mentioned in an announcement to People.
The lawsuit isn’t the topic of the October trial although. In June 2020, Danny was arrested and charged with allegedly raping three ladies for incidents between 2001 and 2003. The alleged victims have been a 23-year-old lady in January and December 2001, one other 23-year-old in October and December 2003, and a 28-year-old in April 2003. The Men At Work star’s lawyer Tom Mesereau maintained his innocence in an announcement on the time. “Obviously, Mr. Masterson and his wife are in complete shock considering that these nearly 20-year old allegations are suddenly resulting in charges being filed, but they and their family are comforted knowing that ultimately the truth will come out. The people who know Mr. Masterson know his character and know the allegations to be false,” he mentioned. After pleading “not guilty” in 2021, Danny was launched on bail.
The Scientology Connection
As talked about above, the ladies suing Danny have additionally filed their lawsuit in opposition to the Church of Scientology. Danny is a member of the church, and three of the ladies who’ve accused him are former members, together with Chrissie and her husband. The ladies claimed that they have been pressured to not share their allegations by the church, and since coming ahead, the victims have claimed to be harassed by the church. The Mars Volta singer has claimed that Scientologists harassed his household and even poisoned their household canine, after the allegations got here out. In since-deleted social media posts, Cedric claimed that individuals have passed by his home, harassed his household on social media, slashed tires and extra, by way of MetalSucks.
During a pre-trial listening to, the ladies spoke about being concerned to return ahead with their allegations, resulting from his involvement within the church. The church denied pressuring the ladies in an announcement to The New York Times, following Danny’s firing from The Ranch. “What is being stated is utterly untrue,” the group mentioned. “This has nothing to do with religion. This story is being manipulated to push a bigoted agenda.”
The extremely questioned, but nonetheless mystic faith was introduced up in the course of the opening assertion by lead prosecutor Reinhold, as reported by Variety. “They can declare you a suppressive person,” Reinhold mentioned, purposely portray the church in an disagreeable mild. “You are essentially an enemy of the church. Your friends, your parents — if you have children who are part of the church — they all have to detach from you. Essentially you lose everything.”
Jane Doe No. 1, the primary witness to take the stand, additionally introduced up the supposed restrictive teachings of the faith. “The goal of Scientology is to clear the planet,” she claimed in entrance of the Los Angeles courtroom.
Meanwhile, protection lawyer Phillip tried to persuade the jury to not get distracted by the tales about Scientology they’ll hear. “This case is about three women who are going to tell you about three nights almost 20 years ago,” he acknowledged, per Deadline. “This other stuff is truly the elephant in the room.” He additionally confirmed the jury a cloud of phrases that was formed into an elephant. “Scientology” was one of many phrases included within the cloud.
The First Witness Speaks
Jane Doe No. 1 recalled an alleged sexual interplay that occurred with the previous beloved actor throughout her first testimony. She claimed Danny was feeding her double and triple alcoholic drinks whereas they have been partying within the Los Feliz neighborhood of Los Angeles earlier than allegedly assaulting her. She beforehand mentioned whereas she thought this encounter was consensual, she later decided that it was not, describing it as feeling “incestuous” as a result of she and Danny have been so shut at that time of time. The alleged incident occurred in 2002 and isn’t included in her lawsuit in opposition to him.
Meanwhile, the protection hit again and claimed there have been discrepancies in Jane Doe’s story in addition to an absence of proof.
Is Danny Masterson Still Married?
Danny has been romantically concerned with Bijou, 42, since 2004. The couple ultimately obtained married in October 2011, and so they share a daughter Fianna, 9. Through all of the allegations, Danny and Bijou have stayed married. In Danny’s lawyer’s assertion, she was talked about as additionally being “shocked” by the allegations, and he or she appears to be standing by him.
Danny Masterson’s Career
Danny has been within the leisure enterprise for many of his life. He was baby mannequin and later teen actor, showing in commercials. His most well-known function continues to be his half in That 70s Show, the place he performed Steven Hyde for all eight seasons. He’s appeared in motion pictures corresponding to Face/Off (1997) and Dracula 2000 (2000). Since the sitcom ended, he’s had roles within the collection Men At Work from 2012 to 2014 and The Ranch from 2016 to 2018. After the allegations got here out, Danny was fired from The Ranch in December 2017. Netflix launched an announcement about his firing. “As a result of ongoing discussions, Netflix and the producers have written Danny Masterson out of ‘The Ranch,’” the corporate mentioned.
While Danny hasn’t appeared in something since getting written off The Ranch, he has been introduced as a part of the forged of Killing Winston Jones, which is alleged to be accomplished, and the upcoming movie In Limbo, per IMDb.