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In
an 89-page ruling, the three-judge panel unanimously found that
the “That '70s Show” actor had failed to demonstrate that the
lower court made errors that would warrant granting him a new
trial. The panel also rejected a petition filed by Masterson
that claimed ineffective assistance of counsel.
Masterson's first trial ended with a deadlocked jury in 2022,
but at his retrial the following year, he was convicted of
raping two women. He was sentenced to 30 years to life in
prison.
His attorneys said in an emailed statement Tuesday that they
would seek review at the California Supreme Court.
Among the claims that the court rejected were that Masterson's
convictions violated the 10-year statute of limitations for
forcible rape, as the statute does not apply where there are
multiple victims; that the trial court excluded evidence in his
favor; and that the trial court exhibited bias against his
religion.
Masterson is a prominent member of the Church of Scientology,
and his accusers are former members who said they grew
disillusioned with the institution after they were assaulted.
They said church officials told them what had happened to them
was not rape, and that its policies prevented them from going to
police. The church vehemently denied having any such policy.
Masterson, 50, has been serving his sentence at the California
Men’s Colony in San Luis Obispo. He will not be eligible for
parole for more than 20 years.
Masterson starred with Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis and Topher
Grace in “That ’70s Show” from 1998 until 2006. He had reunited
with Kutcher on the 2016 Netflix comedy “The Ranch,” but he was
written off the show after the allegations surfaced.
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