Danny Masterson, known for playing Steven Hyde on That ’70s Show, has lost his appeal against his rape conviction. A California appeals court upheld the sentence of 30 years to life imposed on the actor in 2023.A three-judge panel rejected arguments from the defense, including its challenge to the use of information about the Church of Scientology at trial. Masterson’s lawyers argued that the judge had shown bias against the religion, of which Masterson was a member, and that testimony about it had denied him a fair trial.The court found that the defense had not shown any errors that would warrant overturning the conviction or ordering a new trial. It also rejected arguments concerning the statute of limitations, the exclusion of evidence favorable to Masterson and the conduct of his former lawyers.The actor was found guilty of raping two women in 2003. Prosecutors said the assaults took place at his Hollywood Hills home after the women drank beverages that, according to testimony presented at trial, may have been drugged. Masterson denied the allegations and said the sexual encounters were consensual.During the trial, prosecutors presented accounts from women who said Scientology representatives had discouraged them from going to the authorities. The church denies having a policy that prevents or discourages its members from reporting crimes to police.Masterson was convicted in May 2023, at the second trial in the case. The first, in 2022, ended with a deadlocked jury. At the retrial, the jury found him guilty on two rape counts but could not reach a verdict on a third. He was sentenced in September 2023.Following the rejection of the appeal, Masterson’s lawyers said they intend to take the case to the California Supreme Court.With information from CinePOP.
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