Full Breakdown
Danny Masterson’s Appeal Denied: Convictions Upheld by California Court
By Drooid · · How we work
In this breakdown
01
Appeals Court Upholds Convictions
On October 27, a three-judge panel of the California Second District Court of Appeal rejected every argument raised by former “That ’70s Show” star Danny Masterson. The court affirmed the 2023 convictions for two counts of forcible rape and left the 30-year-to-life sentence in place.
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Background & Context
Los Angeles prosecutors charged Masterson in 2020 with three counts of rape involving three women who alleged assaults at his Hollywood Hills home in the early 2000s. The first trial in 2022 ended in a hung jury. A retrial in 2023 resulted in convictions on two counts; the jury deadlocked on a third allegation. The victims, identified in court filings as J.B. and N.T., were members of the Church of Scientology at the time and said they were discouraged by church officials from reporting the incidents. Masterson, also a Scientology member, has framed the case as an attack on his religion.
Visual evidence
Images from the story
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Data & Statistics
- Convictions: two counts of forcible rape; third count deadlocked.
- Sentence: two consecutive terms of 15 years to life (30-year-to-life total).
- Parole eligibility: June 2042.
- Incarceration: California Men’s Colony, San Luis Obispo.
- Bail: $3 million posted after the 2020 arrest; Masterson remained free on bail until the guilty verdict on May 31 2023 and was taken into custody after sentencing on September 7 2023.
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Official Statements & Responses
The 89-page appellate opinion rejected Masterson’s claim that the statute of limitations barred prosecution, noting the limitation does not apply when multiple victims are involved. The court also held that the trial judge’s allowance of evidence concerning Scientology—such as the victims’ pending civil claims against the church and testimony about internal policies—did not violate the First Amendment or constitute bias. It concluded that none of the alleged errors, taken individually or cumulatively, deprived Masterson of due process.
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Criticism & Opposition
Masterson’s attorneys argue the decision ignores exculpatory material. Eric Multhaup cited statements from one victim describing the encounter as “the best sex ever” and another noting a “favorable encounter” before filing a complaint. They contend the trial court excluded this evidence and that the appellate panel summarized the prosecution’s case in a single paragraph, a “cursory treatment” they say reflects poorly on the administration of justice.
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Verbatim Quotes
- “Danny is serving a life sentence for crimes he did not commit,” — Cliff Gardner, Masterson attorney
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Conflicting Reports & Gaps
All sources concur that the appellate panel affirmed the convictions and that Masterson remains incarcerated with parole eligibility in 2042. No substantive disagreement appears regarding the factual outcome of the appeal.
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What’s Next
Masterson’s legal team plans to petition the California Supreme Court for review and to seek additional habeas corpus relief based on alleged undisclosed evidence. No hearing dates have been set.