Fox News Flash top entertainment headlines of September 7
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Danny Masterson was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison after being convicted of rape.
His wife, actor and model Bijou Phillips, was in the courtroom as her husband's sentence was handed down. Court sketches show Masterson blew a kiss to Phillips before being led away.
The actor was found guilty on two counts of forcible rape in May. A jury was hung on a third charge during the trial after the seven men and five women deliberated for eight days.
DANNY MASTERSON FOUND GUILTY IN RAPE RETRIAL
Danny Masterson is seen in court during sentencing hearing Thursday. In court sketches, Masterson is seen blowing a kiss to wife Bijou Phillips before being led away. (Mona Shafer Edwards / BACKGRID)
Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Charlaine Olmedo sentenced Masterson to 15 years to life on each count, and ordered the sentences to be served consecutively. The sentence was the maximum allowed by law. It means Masterson will be eligible for parole after serving 25 1/2 years, but can be held in prison for life.
In a statement provided to Fox News Digital, Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón said, "This has been a long and arduous road for the victims of Mr. Masterson. They not only survived his abuse, they also survived a system that is often not kind to victims.
He added, "I applaud their courage for coming forward and participating in this process. My hope is that this sentence will somehow bring them peace and that their bravery will be an example to others. I also want to thank the entire trial team. This was a very difficult case but due to their hard work, experience and commitment, justice was finally served today. One of my top priorities is to ensure that Los Angeles will no longer be a hunting ground for Hollywood elite who feel entitled to prey on women."
Masterson's legal team noted after sentencing that the 47-year-old plans to appeal the court's decision due to "substantial" errors found during the trial.
"For the past several months a team of the top appellate lawyers in the country has been reviewing transcripts of the trial. They have identified a number of significant evidentiary and constitutional issues which they will address in briefs to both the state and federal courts," Masterson's lawyer, Shawn Holley, said in a statement provided to Fox News Digital.
Danny Masterson was found guilty of rape in May. (Myung J. Chun)
"The errors that occurred in this case are substantial and, unfortunately, led to verdicts that were not supported by the evidence. And though we have great respect for the jury in this case and for our system of justice overall, sometimes they get it wrong. And that's what happened here."
Holley added, "Mr. Masterson did not commit the crimes for which he has been convicted and we, and the appellate lawyers, the best and the brightest in the country, are confident that these convictions will be overturned."
Alison Anderson, partner at Boies Schiller Flexner LLP, and attorney for Jane Does 2 and 3, said in a statement to Fox News Digital, "Niesha and Chrissie have displayed tremendous strength and bravery, by coming forward to law enforcement and participating directly in two grueling criminal trials.
"Despite persistent harassment, obstruction and intimidation, these courageous women helped hold a ruthless sexual predator accountable today, and they are not stopping there. They are eager to soon tell the fuller story of how Scientology and its enablers tried desperately to keep them from coming forward."
Danny Masterson's attorney told reporters outside the courthouse they plan to appeal the actor's sentence. (Chris Pizzello)
The judge heard impact statements from both victims before issuing Masterson's sentence.
"When you raped me, you stole from me," said one woman who Masterson was convicted of raping in 2003. "That’s what rape is, a theft of the spirit."
"You are pathetic, disturbed and completely violent," she said. "The world is better off with you in prison."
The other woman Masterson was found guilty of raping said he "has not shown an ounce of remorse for the pain he caused." She told the judge, "I knew 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."
Masterson watched the women without visible reaction as they spoke.
Masterson's wife Bijou Phillips wept as he was led away from court in handcuffs after the verdict was read. (Myung J. Chun)
When asked for comment on the sentencing, the Church of Scientology referred to the same statement they provided to Fox News Digital in May, claiming the introduction of religion into Masterson's trial violated first amendment rights.
"The Church has no policy prohibiting or discouraging members from reporting criminal conduct of anyone — Scientologists or not — to law enforcement," the statement added. "Quite the opposite, Church policy explicitly demands Scientologists abide by all laws of the land. All allegations to the contrary are totally FALSE. There is not a scintilla of evidence supporting the scandalous allegations that the Church harassed the accusers. Every single instance of supposed harassment by the Church is FALSE, and has been debunked."
The former "That '70s Show" actor was on trial for the second time in less than six months after his first ended in a mistrial.
Masterson initially faced up to 45 years in prison if he was found guilty on three counts of rape by force or fear on alleged sexual assaults, which occurred between 2001 and 2003 at his Hollywood Hills home.
His wife, Phillips, gasped when the guilty verdict was read at his May trial and wept as he was led away. Other family and friends sat stone-faced.
Masterson and Phillips have been married since 2011. (Paul Archuleta)
Prosecutors told jurors that Masterson drugged the women’s drinks so he could rape them. They said he used his prominence in the church — where all three women were also members at the time — to avoid consequences for decades.
The accusers alleged they were hesitant to file charges due to the church's strict protocols against public involvement with member issues.
"I am experiencing a complex array of emotions — relief, exhaustion, strength, sadness — knowing that my abuser, Danny Masterson, will face accountability for his criminal behavior," one of the accusers, whom Masterson was convicted of raping at his home in 2003, said in a statement provided by the attorneys at Boies Schiller Flexner to Fox News Digital.
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Masterson was charged with three counts of rape stemming from alleged assaults between 2001 and 2003. (Lucy Nicholson)
Another Jane Doe said, "I thank the jury for its service, and while I’m encouraged that Danny Masterson will face some criminal punishment, I am devastated that he has dodged criminal accountability for his heinous conduct against me.
"Despite my disappointment in this outcome, I remain determined to secure justice, including in civil court, where I, along with my co-plaintiffs, will shine a light on how Scientology and other conspirators enabled and sought to cover up Masterson’s monstrous behavior."
Masterson's legal team argued that the acts were consensual, and attempted to discredit the women’s stories by highlighting changes and inconsistencies over time, which they said showed signs of coordination between them.
Masterson was arrested in June 2020 and had been free on a $3.3 million bond. He pleaded not guilty to the charges and has maintained his innocence.
Danny Masterson starred on "That '70s Show" alongside Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher. (FOX Image Collection via Getty Images)
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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