A judge sentenced actor Danny Masterson, known for his role in “That ’70s Show,” to a prison term of 30 years to life on Thursday for the rape of two women.
The sentencing came after the victims emotionally shared the profound damage caused by his actions in court.
One of the women, whom Masterson was convicted of raping in 2003, expressed, “When you raped me, you stole from me. That’s what rape is, a theft of the spirit.” She went on to describe him as “pathetic, disturbed, and completely violent,” stating that the world is safer with him in prison.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Charlaine F. Olmedo handed down the sentence to the 47-year-old actor after listening to the women’s statements, despite pleas for leniency from Masterson’s defense team.
Masterson, who has been in custody since May, appeared in court wearing a suit but displayed no visible reaction as the victims spoke. He continues to maintain his innocence, with his attorneys intending to appeal the verdict.
The second victim, also a survivor of Masterson’s rape, remarked that he had shown no remorse for the pain he caused. She expressed regret for not reporting him to the police sooner and emphasized the necessity of his imprisonment for the safety of other women.
Following an initial jury’s inability to reach verdicts on three rape counts in December, leading to a mistrial, prosecutors retried Masterson on all three counts earlier this year.
