Danny Masterson who played the character of Steve Hyde in the famous American sitcom That 70s Show was sentenced to 30 years in prison for rape on Thursday. The actor could also be seen blowing a kiss to his wife Bijou Phillips in a court sketch after the verdict was announced.According to media reports Masterson who is a prominent Scientologist was given his sentence for raping two women who said that the Church of Scientology sought to protect the actor and intimidate them into silence.LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles judge sentences That 70s Show actor Danny Masterson to 30 years to life in prison for rapes of 2 women. pic.twitter.com/RhAJ02eI42— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) September 7, 2023More details on this Dannys sentence Judge Charlaine Olmedo of Los Angeles Superior Court imposed the maximum sentence allowed by law and said “Mr. Masterson, you are not the victim here. Your actions 20 years ago took away another persons voice and choice. Your actions 20 years ago were criminal, and that is why you are here.”The Jury had found him guilty of two counts of rape in May but even after seven days of deliberation the jury could not reach a unanimous verdict on a third count of rape, media report says.The women said Masterson drugged and raped them in separate incidents between 2001 and 2003 at his house in the Hollywood Hills. One of the women also said that her mother is a Scientologist who disowned her after she criticized the group during the trial.Masterson had met the women through the Church of Scientology, and his accusers said the organization discouraged them from contacting law enforcement. One of the women also said that her mother is a Scientologist who disowned her after she criticized the group during the trial.While denying the charges against the actor, the Church of Scientology said Mastersons religion should not have been an issue in the case, calling it “an unprecedented violation of the First Amendment.”Mastersons family was also present at the court during the judgment and were fighting back tears while the actor showed showed little reaction on Thursday as the women gave victim impact statements. He was offered the chance to speak but declined.Mastersons lawyer speaks Mastersons defense attorney Shawn Holley quoted a statement to PEOPLE that he would appeal the verdict.Mesereau continued, “Obviously, Mr. Masterson and his wife are in complete shock considering that these nearly 20-year-old allegations are suddenly resulting in charges being filed, but they and their family are comforted knowing that ultimately the truth will come out. The people who know Mr. Masterson know his character and know the allegations to be false.”All of the alleged crimes occurred at Mastersons home, prosecutors say, and all three accusers testified against him in May 2021 in a preliminary hearing.
