Danny Masterson has publicly demonstrated his love for his wife, Bijou Phillips, after serving a 30-year prison sentence for rape.
In the courtroom sketch, That '70s Show The actress was seen blowing kisses to Phillips before he was taken to jail, and she reportedly attended the sentencing along with Masterson's family. variety.
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At the sentencing, two of the women Masterson was convicted of raping gave victim impact statements, and Judge Charlane Olmedo reportedly told Masterson, “Mr. Masterson, you are not a victim here. Your actions 20 years ago took away someone's voice and choice. Your actions 20 years ago were a crime and that is why you are here.”
Masterson's lawyer, Shawn Holley, said in a statement to People magazine after the verdict that he would appeal.
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A Los Angeles Superior Court jury found Masterson guilty of two counts of rape in May. Los Angeles TimesThe media reported that jurors deliberated for more than seven days before reaching a hung verdict on the third rape count.
Masterson There was little reaction to the ruling.Los Angeles reporter Megan Cunniff said Phillips' family was “holding back tears” and that Phillips began crying when he was found guilty.
Cunniffe said Judge Olmedo asked her, “Can you stay calm? I know it's hard, but if you can't stay calm, get out.”
A source previously told People magazine that Phillips was “shocked and devastated” by the guilty verdict. The source said, “She wasn't prepared for the verdict. She never thought he would be found guilty. She couldn't believe he was taken into custody so quickly and was locked up.”
The source added that Phillips was “frightened of the sentence”.
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Masterson was indicted in 2020 for allegedly forcibly raping three women in separate incidents between 2001 and 2003. Following his arrest, Masterson was out of jail on $3.3 million bail. He pleaded not guilty to all three charges in January 2021.
At the time, Masterson's lawyer, Tom Mesereau, told People magazine, “Mr. Masterson is innocent and is confident that once all the evidence is ultimately revealed and witnesses have had an opportunity to testify, he will be exonerated.”
Mesereau added, “Obviously Mr. Masterson and his wife are completely shocked that allegations from nearly 20 years ago have suddenly turned into charges, but they and their family are reassured that the truth will eventually come out. Those who know Mr. Masterson know his character and know that the allegations are false.”
All of the alleged crimes occurred at Masterson's home, according to prosecutors, and all three accusers took the stand at a preliminary hearing in May 2021 to detail the allegations.
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Masterson was originally scheduled to go on trial on the charges in late 2022, but a mistrial was called after the jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict: Ten of the 12 jurors wanted to acquit Masterson based on the evidence presented.
Many of the allegations against Masterson first surfaced in March 2017, when the Los Angeles Police Department's Robbery-Homicide Division confirmed that it was investigating sexual assault allegations against the actor. In November 2017, The Huffington Post reported that a fourth woman had come forward to accuse Masterson of raping her in the early 2000s.
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Masterson was removed from the Netflix series after the allegations came to light. Ranch — He is ex That '70s Show Co-star Ashton Kutcher. United Talent Agency also terminated the actor's contract.
“This is ridiculous,” Masterson said in a statement to People magazine through his lawyer at the time. “My ex-girlfriend has been tempting me for over two years, but I am not going to fight her in the media. I am going to beat her in court, and I look forward to it, because the public will finally know the truth and how unfairly I have been treated by this woman. Once her lawsuit is dismissed, I intend to sue her and anyone else who jumped the gun for the damages they have caused to me and my family.”
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or visit rainn.org.
