Thirty years to life in prison remains the sentence for actor Danny Masterson after a California appeals court unanimously upheld his 2023 rape convictions, rejecting defense arguments that trial Judge Charlaine F. Olmedo showed bias against Scientology, The Guardian reported. In an 89-page ruling filed on Tuesday, a three-judge panel of the Second Appellate District ruled against the “That ’70s Show” star, who was found guilty of raping two women at his Hollywood Hills home in 2003.
Appeals Court Rejects First Amendment Claims Over Church Evidence
Masterson’s appellate attorneys, Cliff Gardner and Eric Multhaup, argued that Judge Olmedo improperly intruded into the interpretation of church doctrine and infringed on First Amendment rights by allowing extensive testimony about Scientology during the trial. The appeals panel disagreed, writing that the jury was not asked to determine the truth or belief of church doctrine and that the admission of Scientology evidence did not contravene the constitution. The court also rejected separate defense challenges regarding the statute of limitations, evidentiary rulings, and an inadequate defense claim.
Victims Testified That Scientology Rules Stifled Police Reports
During the 2023 trial, prosecutors argued that Masterson utilized his prominent standing in the Church of Scientology to evade accountability. The three plaintiffs, all former members of the church at the time of the assaults, delayed reporting the attacks due to fear of violating a church rule against going to law enforcement, according to court testimony. Two of the accusers stated that when they reported Masterson to church officials, they were told they were not raped, subjected to interrogative “ethics programs,” and warned against police involvement. One woman testified that she was shunned and ostracized for reporting the crimes.
Defense Vows Further Appeal to California Supreme Court
Masterson’s lawyers called the appellate decision unfortunate and confirmed plans to seek a review at the California Supreme Court while pursuing a separate habeas corpus petition. “Danny is serving a life sentence for crimes he did not commit,” Gardner told Variety. The Church of Scientology maintained in a 2023 statement that the testimony regarding church beliefs was uniformly false, asserting that the organization has no policy prohibiting or discouraging members from reporting criminal conduct to law enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Masterson Appeal Ruling
When was Danny Masterson convicted of rape?
A Los Angeles jury found Masterson guilty of two counts of rape in May 2023 following a retrial, after a previous jury deadlocked on those counts. A third charge involving a former girlfriend who alleged she was raped in 2001 was quashed.
Where is Danny Masterson currently imprisoned?
Masterson is currently incarcerated at the California Men’s Colony in San Luis Obispo, having been moved there from Corcoran State Prison in early 2024 due to security threats, according to Deadline. He remains ineligible for parole until 2042.
What did the appeals court rule regarding the trial judge?
The three-judge panel ruled that Judge Charlaine F. Olmedo’s statements and rulings during the trial showed no animus or departure from neutrality regarding Scientology.
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