US actor Danny Masterson on Thursday was sentenced 30 years in prison after court found him guilty of raping two women at his residence two decades ago.
According to reports, the star actor of ‘That ’70s Show’ was convicted in May over drug and rape charges and since then has been in custody.
Masterson was found guilty of two of three rape charges during the second trial. Both attacks took place at his resident the swanky Hollywood Hills area of Los Angeles, where he drugged and raped two fellow members of Church of Scientology between 2001 and 2003.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Charlaine Olmedo announced Masterson 30 years of prison time—imposing a sentence of 15 years-to-life on each rape conviction—after rejecting a defense motion for a new trial that was argued earlier Thursday.
It is understood that Masterson sentence was the maximum allowed by law that means he will be eligible for parole after serving 25 1/2 years, but can be held in prison for life.
“I know that you’re sitting here steadfast in your claims of innocence, and thus no doubt feeling victimized by a justice system that has failed you,” Olmedo told Masterson before handing down the sentence.
“But Mr. Masterson, you are not the victim here. Your actions 20 years ago took away another person’s voice, and choice. One way or another you will have to come to terms with your prior actions, and their consequences,” added Olmedo.
According to AP report, one of the rape victim woman said, “When you raped me, you stole from me. That’s what rape is, a theft of the spirit. You are pathetic, disturbed and completely violent”.
“The world is better off with you in prison,” she added.
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