That 70s Show Fame Danny Masterson Found Guilty On Two Rape Counts, Sentenced To 30 Years In Prison
Danny Masterson has been found guilty of raping two women in his Hollywood Hills home.
New Delhi: 'That '70s Show' actor Danny Masterson has been found guilty of raping two women in his Hollywood Hills home on Wednesday. He was convicted by the court in 2003 of raping two women. Masterson was taken into custody and faces a sentence of 30 years to life in prison.
Greg Risling, a spokesman for the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office, reported that a jury was unable to reach a verdict on another allegation that Masterson raped a third woman between 2001 and 2003.
George Gascón, the district attorney for Los Angeles County, said in a statement, “We want to express our gratitude to the three women who came forward and bravely shared their experiences. Their courage and strength have been an inspiration to us all.”
“While we are disappointed that the jury did not convict on all counts, we respect their decision. The verdicts handed down by the jury in this case were undoubtedly a difficult one to reach and we thank the jurors for their service,” added Gascon.
In a statement, one of the women whom Masterson was found guilty of raping at his house in 2003 stated,"I am experiencing a complex array of emotions – relief, exhaustion, strength, sadness – knowing that my abuser, Danny Masterson, will face accountability for his criminal behavior."
The woman, whose count led to a tie vote from the jury, stated in the statement, "While I'm encouraged that Danny Masterson will face some criminal punishment, I am devastated that he has dodged criminal accountability for his heinous conduct against me."
In 2020, the 47-year-old actor was accused of raping three women in his Los Angeles residence between 2001 and 2003. Due to a deadlock on all three counts during his first trial, the case was declared a mistrial last November. A petition to have the case dismissed was denied in January, and a new trial was scheduled.
Danny Masterson played a rebellious teen in the 1998–2006 television comedy series 'That '70s Show', which gave him his breakthrough role.
ALSO READ: Former EXO Member Kris Wu Sentenced To 13 Years In Jail For Raping Minor