LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Danny Masterson, who played Steven Hyde on 'That ‘70s Show,' was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison on Thursday, September 7, for raping three women in the early 2000s.
He was found guilty on two counts of rape in May 2023 after a previous mistrial in August 2022. However, his lawyers are confident that the conviction will be overturned.
Why are Danny Masterson's lawyers appealing the conviction?
Danny Masterson's lawyer Shawn Holley said that they plan to appeal the conviction, citing “a number of significant evidentiary and constitutional issues” in the trial, reports said.
She told reporters outside the courtroom, “The errors which occurred in this case are substantial and unfortunately, led to verdicts which are not supported by the evidence,” as reported by Deadline.
Holley also expressed confidence that “these convictions will be overturned” by a team of “the best and the brightest” appellate lawyers who she said "have been reviewing the transcripts of the trial."
Holly said, "They have found a number of significant, evidentiary and constitutional issues which they will address in briefs to both the state and federal courts."
Do Danny Masterson's lawyers believe he didn't commit the crimes at all?
The lawyers for Masterson denied he was involved by saying that he “did not commit the crimes for which he has been convicted."
She added, “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.”
Masterson, who pleaded not guilty to all charges in January 2021, had his bail revoked and was taken into custody after the sentencing.
The judge Judge Charlaine Olmedo while sentencing Masterson told him, “...Masterson, you are not the victim here. Your actions 20 years ago took away another person’s choice and voice,” according to Deadline.
“Your actions 20 years ago today were criminal, and that’s why you are here.”
Did Masterson speak in court after sentencing?
Even as he was permitted to speak in the court, Masterson chose to remain silent.
Masterson was reportedly informed he would have to register as a sex offender upon parole or release because of the sentencing.
Masterson told the court that he understood. Masterson’s wife Bijou Phillips and other family members quietly wept in the public gallery when the sentencing was announced, as per the report.
