In a shocking development, former That ’70s Show star Danny Masterson has filed an appeal against his 2023 rape conviction. The actor, who is currently serving a 30-year prison sentence for two counts of rape, claims he did not receive a fair trial and is questioning the credibility of the plaintiffs in the case.
Masterson’s legal team submitted a hefty 244-page brief to the California state court of appeal on Wednesday, arguing that their client’s rights were violated on multiple fronts. They contend that the inclusion of Scientology doctrine as part of the trial unfairly biased the proceedings, as Masterson and the plaintiffs were all members of the controversial church at the time of the alleged assaults.
Questioning Plaintiffs’ Motives and Credibility
Central to Masterson’s appeal is the accusation that the two plaintiffs, referred to as JB and NT in court documents, falsified evidence and had a direct financial interest in securing a conviction. The appeal alleges that the court violated Masterson’s rights by excluding evidence that could prove this financial motive.
According to Masterson’s lawyers, if JB and NT obtained forcible rape convictions against the actor, state law would open a one-year window for them to file new rape-based causes of action in their pending civil lawsuit against Masterson and the Church of Scientology. This, they argue, would entitle the plaintiffs to significantly higher damages compared to their existing lawsuit for harassment.
The trial court’s ruling is irreconcilable with more than a century of California law recognising the common-sense principle that a witness’ financial stake in the outcome of trial is plainly relevant to credibility.
Danny Masterson’s appeal brief
In a telling move, JB and NT did indeed amend their civil complaint within a year of Masterson’s conviction to include the rape allegations, seemingly validating the defense’s concerns. The civil case against Masterson and Scientology is set to go to trial in Los Angeles superior court in 2025, adding another layer to this complex legal battle.
Maintaining Innocence and Consent
Throughout the original trial and now the appeal, Masterson has vehemently maintained his innocence. He insists that his sexual encounters with all three plaintiffs were entirely consensual and is now fighting to clear his name and overturn what he sees as a miscarriage of justice.
The Church of Scientology has also rebuffed the prosecution’s characterization of its policies, stating after the original verdict that descriptions of Scientology beliefs during the trial were “uniformly false.” They maintain that the church has no policy preventing members from reporting criminal conduct to law enforcement.
An Uphill Battle for Masterson
Despite the strongly worded appeal and accusations of impropriety, legal experts caution that overturning a conviction is always an uphill battle. The defense will need to convince the court that the alleged violations and exclusions of evidence meet the high bar for throwing out a jury’s verdict.
As the appeal process unfolds, all eyes will be on the California courts to see if Danny Masterson will get another day in court or if his conviction and 30-year sentence will stand. Regardless of the outcome, this high-profile case has once again thrust the intersection of celebrity, crime, and Scientology into the harsh glare of the public spotlight.
The legal saga of Danny Masterson is far from over, with battles in both criminal and civil court on the horizon. As both sides present their arguments and evidence, it will be up to the courts to determine whether the That ’70s Show star was truly denied a fair trial or if justice was rightfully served. The world will be watching as this next chapter plays out.
