Danny Masterson has been handed a 30-year prison sentence following his conviction on two counts of rape. The former “That ’70s Show” star received his sentence on Thursday in a Los Angeles court. Masterson, who was facing the possibility of 30 years to life, had been found guilty on two of the three counts he was charged with. This outcome, therefore, was not entirely surprising.
Key Takeaway
Danny Masterson, former star of “That ’70s Show,” has been sentenced to 30 years in prison following his conviction on two counts of rape. The trial, which began in 2020, came to a conclusion with the jury finding the accusers’ testimonies credible. Masterson will serve his sentence in the L.A. County Men’s Central Jail.
The conviction stems from incidents that were said to have occurred between 2001 and 2003 while Masterson was working on his comedy series. He was first charged in 2020, and three women came forward to accuse him. In May of this year, he was convicted on two counts, although the jury was unable to reach a decision on the third count. After a mistrial in October 2022, he was retried and ultimately found guilty.
Masterson’s attorney, Philip Cohen, had argued that the case hinged on the credibility of the three accusers and that their statements had evolved over time. However, the jury ultimately found the accusers’ testimonies to be credible.
It is worth noting that Masterson has been held in “administrative segregation” at the L.A. County Men’s Central Jail while awaiting his sentencing, separate from the general prison population. This is a measure often taken for high-profile inmates, including individuals like O.J. Simpson and Suge Knight.
