Danny Masterson Rape Conviction Upheld by Appeals Court

Actor Danny Masterson will remain in prison after an appeals court rejected his attempt to overturn his rape conviction. The ruling upholds the 30-year-to-life sentence handed down in 2023.

Court Upholds 2023 Verdict

A California appeals court panel affirmed the original judgment, finding no legal errors sufficient to reverse the conviction. Masterson, known for his role in the television sitcom That ’70s Show, was found guilty of two counts of forcible rape in May 2023. Prosecutors successfully argued during the trial that the actor drugged and assaulted three women at his Hollywood Hills home between 2001 and 2003. The jury deadlocked on a third count of rape.

Legal Path Forward

Following the conviction, Masterson’s legal team filed an appeal, challenging procedural decisions made during the initial trial. The appellate court’s decision maintains the original sentencing, which requires Masterson to serve at least 25 years before becoming eligible for parole. Masterson has remained in custody since the sentencing hearing in September 2023, when he was transferred to the state prison system.

The defense has not yet announced whether they will seek further review from the California Supreme Court. If no further appeals are successful, the actor will continue serving his sentence at a state correctional facility.

Why it matters: This appellate decision finalizes a high-profile case involving allegations of sexual misconduct within the entertainment industry. The outcome underscores the judicial system’s adherence to the original sentencing parameters for serious violent crimes, regardless of the defendant’s public profile.