A California judge sentenced former “That 70s Show” actor Danny Masterson to 30 years to life in prison Thursday.
The famous actor was found guilty on two counts of rape that both took place in 2003, and he received the maximum possible sentence permitted by law. “Mr. Masterson, you are not the victim here,” Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Charlaine F. Olmedo said, according to ABC News. “Your actions 20 years ago took away another person’s voice, and choice. One way or another you will have to come to terms with your prior actions, and their consequences.”
All of Masterson’s accusers were permitted to submit victim impact statements as part of the hearing, Page Six reported.
“You relish in hurting women. It is your addiction. It is without question your favorite thing to do,” one of the women said, according to journalist Meghann Cuniff.
“When you raped me, you stole from me,” one woman said, the Associated Press (AP) reported. “That’s what rape is, a theft of the spirit.”
The two women Masterson was convicted of raping spoke in person for 10-20 minutes each.
N.T. brought up Masterson’s DJ name, DJ Donkey Punch.
“You relish in hurting women. It is your addiction. It is without question your favorite thing to do,” she said.
— Meghann Cuniff (@meghanncuniff) September 7, 2023
“You are pathetic, disturbed and completely violent,” she went on to say. “The world is better off with you in prison.”
Another woman who accused Masterson of rape said he “belonged behind bars for the safety of all the women he came into contact with. I am so sorry, and I’m so upset. I wish I’d reported him sooner to the police,” according to AP.
Masterson wore a suit in court Thursday, according to AP. He was previously found guilty in a May retrial, after a jury declared a mistrial in 2022. The jury concluded on two of the three counts at the May retrial, but the rape allegations made by a woman identified only as Jane Doe No. 3 were declared a mistrial and dismissed. (RELATED: Danny Masterson’s Wife Reportedly Standing By Him Amid Rape Conviction)
One of the women was Masterson’s ex-girlfriend and all three accusers reportedly belonged to the Church of Scientology, as does Masterson, according to Page Six.
“It’s his life that will be impacted by what you decide today,” Masteron’s lawyer Shawn Holley said in court Thursday, AP reported. “He has lived an exemplary life, he has been an extraordinary father, husband, brother, son, co-worker and community servant.”
The defense initially asked for 15 years to life for Masterson, requesting his sentences run simultaneously, but the prosecution asked for 30 years to life for the actor.