Danny Masterson appealed his 2023 rape conviction, questioning the plaintiff's credibility and claiming he did not receive a fair trial.
In a 244-page brief filed Wednesday with the California Court of Appeals, Masterson's attorneys Cliff Gardner and Lazuli Witt said: But he still deserves his fair share…Danny Masterson receives neither. A reversal is necessary. ”
In May 2023, Masterson, known for his role on That 70s Show, was convicted of two counts of rape against two women in 2003, while a third count involving a third plaintiff The charges against him were dismissed. He was sentenced to 30 years in prison.
During the trial, prosecutors argued that the prominent Scientologist used his role within the church (all three plaintiffs were also members at the time) to avoid responsibility for the assault.
Masterson has always maintained that he is innocent and that the sex with all three plaintiffs was consensual.
In a statement after the verdict, the church said “testimony and explanations regarding Scientology beliefs” during the trial were “uniformly false.”
“The Church has no policy prohibiting or discouraging members, whether Scientologists or not, from reporting the criminal conduct of anyone to law enforcement,” the statement said.
Gardner and Hoyt claim that Masterson's rights were violated by the inclusion of Scientology doctrine as part of the trial, and accuse the plaintiffs of presenting “fabricated” evidence.
They also hope the plaintiffs, referred to in documents as JB and NT, will receive a fair trial by excluding evidence proving that the plaintiffs had a “direct financial interest in the outcome of the trial.” He claims that his rights have been violated. A civil lawsuit is pending against Masterson and the Church of Scientology seeking damages.
In 2019, JB, NT, and their respective families filed a civil lawsuit alleging Masterson and the church harassed them after the women went to police alleging sexual assault in 2017. . The civil suit referred to an incident involving Mr. Masterson. Although he handed down judgment on the criminal trial and conviction in 2023, he did not allege rape or seek damages because the civil statute of limitations had expired.
Mr. Masterson's lawyers argued that in 2023, the trial court ruled that “if the accusing witness is found guilty of forcible rape against Mr. Masterson, state law provides a new rape-based cause of action in a civil suit.'' “We have excluded evidence that suggests a one-year period.” Thus, it would “entitle them to dramatically greater damages than existing lawsuits seeking harassment damages.”
“And as expected, within a year of the criminal verdict, both JB and NT moved to amend their pending cases to do just that,” the lawyers added.
“The trial court's decision contradicts more than 100 years of California law, which recognizes the common-sense principle that a witness's financial stake in the outcome of a case clearly relates to credibility.”
The civil suit against Masterson and the Church of Scientology is scheduled to be heard in Los Angeles Superior Court in 2025.
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Information and support for people affected by rape and sexual abuse issues is available from the following organizations: In the United States, rain offers support at 800-656-4673. In the UK, rape crisis offers support on 0808 500 2222. In Australia, support is available at: 1800 respect (1800 737 732). Other international helplines can be found at: ibiblio.org/rcip/internl.html
