Danny Masterson asks appeals court to overturn rape conviction, arguing trial errors and witness credibility issues
Actor Danny Masterson is asking a California appeals court to overturn his 2023 conviction for rape, arguing that legal errors and disputed witness testimony undermined the verdict that sent him to prison for 30 years to life.
Masterson, best known for his role on “That ’70s Show,” was convicted by a jury of raping two women in 2001 and 2002 by force or fear, including allegations that he drugged the victims. The jury in his second trial found him guilty on two counts involving two women identified in court as J.B. and N.T., while deadlocking on a third allegation involving a separate accuser.
A previous trial had ended in a mistrial on all counts. Following the conviction, Masterson was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison.
In court filings, Masterson maintains the encounters were consensual and argues that key testimony from the accusers changed significantly over time. His legal team contends those changes were driven by financial motives, including the possibility of civil lawsuits that could only proceed following a criminal conviction.
Defense attorneys also argue that the jury was not fully presented with evidence they say would have shown the accusers had an incentive to strengthen their claims. An appeals court justice questioned that argument, suggesting the defense may have had opportunities during the trial to raise the issue more directly.
Prosecutors counter that the financial motive theory is speculative and irrelevant, noting that jurors were aware that civil litigation was already connected to the case. They also rejected claims that excluded evidence would have changed the outcome of the trial.
Masterson’s attorneys further argue that the trial court improperly limited access to certain evidence, including text messages between the accusers that the defense says could have shown coordination or changes in their accounts. Prosecutors described those requests as overly broad, saying more targeted requests could have been made instead.
The case stems from allegations made by three women who, along with Masterson, were members of the Church of Scientology. Two of the women reported assaults years earlier, but prosecutors initially declined to file charges. The case was reopened in 2020 following a renewed investigation.
A three-judge appellate panel has taken the matter under submission and will issue a ruling at a later date.
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