Shocking Verdict: Danny Masterson Faces Lifetime Behind Bars After Rape Trial

Summary

That '70s Show star Danny Masterson has been sentenced to 30 years to life in prison for his conviction of forcible rape of two women.

Masterson is facing the harshest possible sentence, which implies that he will not be considered for parole until after 25 and a half years have elapsed. Ultimately, this could lead to Masterson spending the remainder of his life behind bars.

That '70s Show actor Danny Masterson has been sentenced in his rape trial. Masterson, best known for his role as Steven Hyde on the popular sitcom That '70s Show, has also appeared in Men at Work and The Ranch alongside his former co-star Ashton Kutcher. In May, he was found guilty of forcibly raping two women and has been in custody since then.

According to the Associated Press, Masterson has received his sentencing. He has been sentenced to a minimum of 30 years to life in prison for his convictions. This is the maximum possible sentence, meaning he will not be eligible for parole until 25 and a half years have passed, and there is a possibility that he could remain incarcerated for the rest of his life.

Danny Masterson’s Legal Timeline Explained

Danny Masterson's current sentence is the outcome of events that originated twenty years ago. The acts of rape he was convicted of occurred in 2003 at his residence in Los Angeles, but it wasn't until March 2017 that these crimes were publicly brought against him. As allegations accumulated, Masterson was terminated from his role in The Ranch and abandoned by his representatives at United Talent Agency. Furthermore, he was not included in the cast of the Netflix series That '90s Show sequel.

Although he faced three additional rape accusations, one of the accusers did not participate in the lawsuit filed in August 2019. In June 2020, Masterson was formally charged with three counts of rape from four cases. Nevertheless, unlike the other two cases, the third case did not result in a conviction. A mistrial was announced in late 2022 due to a deadlocked jury, and ultimately, the verdict for the two cases was reached in May 2023.

Danny Masterson, at his sentencing on September 7, chose not to exercise his right to speak prior to the proceedings. Despite the defense's attempt to argue for a new trial earlier that day, the judge dismissed the motion. Subsequently, the victims' statements were read to Masterson, following which the court delivered the official sentence, resulting in the continued detention of the prominent individual.