Former That 70s Show star Danny Masterson will continue to face his rape charges and the 30-year prison sentence. Three years ago, he was found guilty of sexually assaulting two women at his Hollywood Hills home in 2003.
Masterson’s appeal has been denied by an appeals court over his conviction on rape charges, reports Variety. The 89-page ruling revealed that the three-judge panel rejected all his arguments.
Why was Scientology such a big part of Danny Masterson’s appeal case?
The panel specifically mentioned Scientology. They rejected Danny Masterson’s claim that one trial judge was biased against Scientology. The actor’s attorneys had argued that Judge Charlaine Olmedo’s remarks and adverse rulings on Scientology affected Masterson’s First Amendment rights.
However, the panel made it clear that Olmedo’s statements showed “evidence no animus or departure from neutrality regarding Scientology.” Olmedo allowed a former Scientologist to testify as an expert at trial. The prosecution pointed out that the victims hesitated in classifying the incidents as rape because they all belonged to the Church of Scientology. It was revealed that they were afraid of retaliation for violating a Scientology rule against going to the police.
Masterson’s lawyers argued that the court improperly intruded on the interpretation of church doctrine. But the appeals court said the jury “was not asked to determine the truth or falsity of Scientology doctrine or beliefs,” the concluding statement read. “Admission of Scientology evidence for those purposes did not contravene the First Amendment.”
The panel also rejected arguments about the statute of limitations and evidentiary rulings. It also denied a separate habeas corpus petition arguing that Masterson did not receive a proper defense.
Danny Masterson was initially accused of raping three women between 2001 and 2003. However, he was eventually convicted on two charges. The jury couldn’t reach a verdict on a third incident from 2001 involving his former girlfriend.
Originally reported on ComingSoon.
