47 votes

Danny Masterson sentenced to thirty years in prison after rape conviction

34 comments

  1. [2]
    OBLIVIATER
    Link
    Woah, thats so long for a celebrity. Usually it seems like they get off easier. Glad to see that justice is being served sometimes.

    Woah, thats so long for a celebrity. Usually it seems like they get off easier. Glad to see that justice is being served sometimes.

    24 votes
    1. yosayoran
      Link Parent
      From what I saw it might be due to his defense trying to defend the scientologist cult more than they tried to defend him.

      From what I saw it might be due to his defense trying to defend the scientologist cult more than they tried to defend him.

      14 votes
  2. domukin
    Link
    It’s 15 years for each rape and there was a mistrial for a 3rd alleged rape. I think it’s more than reasonable. I’d also say that justice was delayed, these crimes occurred 20 years ago. I’m...

    It’s 15 years for each rape and there was a mistrial for a 3rd alleged rape. I think it’s more than reasonable. I’d also say that justice was delayed, these crimes occurred 20 years ago. I’m actually kinda surprised that they got a conviction this late. I also wonder how many more crimes were not reported, investigated, etc due to his money, power and position in the church.

    21 votes
  3. [6]
    KneeFingers
    Link
    It appears they gave him 10 years for each of the three victims to add up to 30. I can personally testify that the trauma of a date rape lasts longer than 10 years and these women will have to...

    It appears they gave him 10 years for each of the three victims to add up to 30. I can personally testify that the trauma of a date rape lasts longer than 10 years and these women will have to carry that for a lifetime. 30 years isn't harsh enough in my opinion and I'm hoping this gets extended to life. A serial rapist like this that showed no remorse and had the gall to do this not once but three times does not have the empathy to be let out on good behavior. He stole the lives of these women mentally; he deserves to rot for life in prison.

    For those that aren't aware, less than 3% of reported sexual assault cases result in incarceration. In fact several women don't report their assaults because they fear the police won't generally help. To actually have a conviction, especially someone with connections, is a win when compared to such dismal statistics.

    14 votes
    1. [2]
      smiles134
      Link Parent
      The article says 15 years served consecutively for the two he was convicted of. The jury didn't reach a verdict in the earliest rape.

      The article says 15 years served consecutively for the two he was convicted of. The jury didn't reach a verdict in the earliest rape.

      17 votes
      1. KneeFingers
        Link Parent
        Thank you for pointing that out. As I was reading the article it sounded like they still considered her case, but didn't have enough to make a formal conclusion. So in my head I was still...

        Thank you for pointing that out. As I was reading the article it sounded like they still considered her case, but didn't have enough to make a formal conclusion. So in my head I was still considering her "justice" when evaluating out the years, but I can see how that isn't exactly correct.

    2. [3]
      gary
      Link Parent
      Your source actually says 8% of reported sexual assaults result in incarceration, not less than 3%. Not a good statistic either, but just pointing it out since the context is that many sexual...

      Your source actually says 8% of reported sexual assaults result in incarceration, not less than 3%. Not a good statistic either, but just pointing it out since the context is that many sexual assaults go unreported and this would be double counting otherwise.

      6 votes
      1. [2]
        KneeFingers
        Link Parent
        I'm wondering how i goofed the math then. The first table shows only 25 out of 1000 of reported sexual assaults end in incarceration. Doing math on that leads to 2.5% for me. Is there another...

        I'm wondering how i goofed the math then. The first table shows only 25 out of 1000 of reported sexual assaults end in incarceration. Doing math on that leads to 2.5% for me. Is there another number you looked at that led you differently?

        1 vote
        1. gary
          Link Parent
          It's actually a really small mistake. The 1000 sexual assaults denominator is not "1000 reported sexual assaults", but just 1000 sexual assaults. "Reported" is 310/1000. The source estimates that...

          It's actually a really small mistake. The 1000 sexual assaults denominator is not "1000 reported sexual assaults", but just 1000 sexual assaults. "Reported" is 310/1000. The source estimates that for every 310 reported assaults, there are 690 unreported sexual assaults.

          So 25 / 310 is 8% and 25 / 1000 is 2.5%. We can say "8% of reported sexual assaults result in incarceration" or "an estimated 2.5% of all sexual assaults result in incarceration" but we can't say "2.5% of reported sexual assaults result in incarceration".

          6 votes
  4. [6]
    Amun
    Link
    Elizabeth Wagmeister

    Elizabeth Wagmeister


    Masterson, best known for starring on the hit Fox sitcom “That 70’s Show” and in Netflix’s “The Ranch,” was facing a potential sentence of 30 years to life in prison.

    Both trials shined a light on the Church of Scientology, and the verdict marked a stunning downfall for one of Scientology’s most prominent celebrity members. Masterson is a lifelong member and all three victims were Scientologists at the time of their assaults, but have since left the church.

    Masterson’s defense tried to downplay the role of Scientology throughout both trials. His attorneys stressed to the jury that they cannot be biased against any religion, telling jurors during trial, “Scientology is not a defendant” and that “Scientology is not an element of this case.”

    Shortly before Masterson was sentenced, one of the women said she forgives the actor, but believes he deserves to be in prison for the rest of his life.

    “I don’t have to carry around your shame around with me. Now, you have to carry it. You have to sit in a cell and carry it,” Jane Doe 2 said in the courtroom. “Your emptiness and your cowardice will be your true legacy. You are pathetic, disturbed and extremely violent. The world is safer with you behind bars.”


    13 votes
    1. yosayoran
      Link Parent
      #“I don’t have to carry around your shame around with me. Now, you have to carry it. You have to sit in a cell and carry it,” Jane Doe 2 said in the courtroom. “Your emptiness and your cowardice...

      #“I don’t have to carry around your shame around with me. Now, you have to carry it. You have to sit in a cell and carry it,” Jane Doe 2 said in the courtroom. “Your emptiness and your cowardice will be your true legacy. You are pathetic, disturbed and extremely violent. The world is safer with you behind bars.”

      What an amazing quote. She is do brave and it's amazing she could be so succinct and prescise in this type of situation.

      24 votes
    2. [4]
      Amun
      Link Parent
      Do you consider this conviction harsh? Or do you think its reasonable?

      Do you consider this conviction harsh? Or do you think its reasonable?

      1 vote
      1. [2]
        Minty
        Link Parent
        Given he's a proven "violent, serial rapist" who enacted or supported "persistent harassment, obstruction and intimidation" and "one of the women (...) believes he deserves to be in prison for the...

        Given he's a proven "violent, serial rapist" who enacted or supported "persistent harassment, obstruction and intimidation" and "one of the women (...) believes he deserves to be in prison for the rest of his life"—but sounds without personal grudge—it feels adequate.

        25 votes
        1. triadderall_triangle
          Link Parent
          I would caveat with it being the closest outcome to justice that we're able to impose within the limits of the legal system.

          I would caveat with it being the closest outcome to justice that we're able to impose within the limits of the legal system.

          4 votes
      2. Habituallytired
        Link Parent
        I think it was fair at best. Rapists who are this unrepentant and cowardly (to hide behind his religion for protection against something he knew was wrong) deserve life in prison.

        I think it was fair at best. Rapists who are this unrepentant and cowardly (to hide behind his religion for protection against something he knew was wrong) deserve life in prison.

        7 votes
  5. [7]
    gowestyoungman
    Link
    The accusers are amazingly brave. To go against a high profile member of the 'Church' and win a case like this is unusual and I totally believe that they did experience persistent harassment for...

    The accusers are amazingly brave. To go against a high profile member of the 'Church' and win a case like this is unusual and I totally believe that they did experience persistent harassment for doing so. The 'Church' doesn't like it's image besmirched and is notorious for using pretty shady means to push back and intimidate.

    I do feel for his daughter though. She's only 9 and will be a grown woman of at least 39 when her father is freed. That's a long time to think about what he did to the victims.

    12 votes
    1. teaearlgraycold
      Link Parent
      If anything we should be relieved his daughter is free from him.

      If anything we should be relieved his daughter is free from him.

      12 votes
    2. [5]
      Habituallytired
      Link Parent
      He should have thought of that before he raped anyone.

      He should have thought of that before he raped anyone.

      8 votes
      1. [4]
        CptBluebear
        Link Parent
        Some sympathy for his daughter is not out of place here.

        Some sympathy for his daughter is not out of place here.

        7 votes
        1. [3]
          Habituallytired
          Link Parent
          I have sympathy for her. The comment above was talking about him, and thinking about what he'd done to his victims.

          I have sympathy for her. The comment above was talking about him, and thinking about what he'd done to his victims.

          3 votes
          1. [2]
            CptBluebear
            Link Parent
            I apologise if I'm mistaken here, but doesn't he mean "time to reflect on his crimes" here rather than expressing sympathy for Masterson? At any rate, apologies for insinuating you wouldn't have...

            I apologise if I'm mistaken here, but doesn't he mean "time to reflect on his crimes" here rather than expressing sympathy for Masterson?

            At any rate, apologies for insinuating you wouldn't have any sympathy for the daughter.

            2 votes
            1. Habituallytired
              Link Parent
              It's all good! Tone is hard to convey on the internet and it wasn't a very clear comment. :) I hope his daughter and partner are able to access therapy and ant other services they may need...

              It's all good! Tone is hard to convey on the internet and it wasn't a very clear comment. :)

              I hope his daughter and partner are able to access therapy and ant other services they may need (hopefully outside of Scientology).

              2 votes
  6. [4]
    BeanBurrito
    Link
    Enrico Tarro, a leader of the Proud Boys is being sent to prison for 22 years for his involvement with January 6th. The U.S. justice system is so uneven.

    Enrico Tarro, a leader of the Proud Boys is being sent to prison for 22 years for his involvement with January 6th.

    The U.S. justice system is so uneven.

    10 votes
    1. [3]
      Habituallytired
      Link Parent
      He should also be sent to prison for life, like the rest of the proud boys/attempted coupists (I can't think of the right word rn).

      He should also be sent to prison for life, like the rest of the proud boys/attempted coupists (I can't think of the right word rn).

      10 votes
      1. [2]
        WarMarshalEmu
        Link Parent
        "Domestic terrorists" is the phrase you're looking for I believe

        "Domestic terrorists" is the phrase you're looking for I believe

        15 votes
  7. joes
    Link
    Dumbass!

    Dumbass!

    3 votes
  8. [2]
    Wolf_359
    (edited )
    Link
    Assuming he did it, this is excellent news. I do have a question though, and I hope it isn't taken the wrong way. What kind of evidence did they have against him? I know that one major issue with...

    Assuming he did it, this is excellent news.

    I do have a question though, and I hope it isn't taken the wrong way.

    What kind of evidence did they have against him? I know that one major issue with sexual assault cases is that people feel alone and ashamed. They often don't report them for many years, especially when the perpetrator is rich and powerful. For this reason, a normal statute of limitations may not be appropriate.

    One fear I have though, is that it's awfully hard to mount a good defense for something that potentially happened several decades ago.

    Where were you on any given date 20 years ago? What was your interaction with a specific person you haven't seen since then? If they accuse you of rape, what can you say other than, "I didn't do that."

    Of course, I have to assume there were several corroborating witnesses. I'm not trying to imply he didn't do it. But in another circumstance, these issues may be relevant.

    Edit: It seems like scientology's cover up attempts actually helped to convict him. All the meetings and at least one NDA left a lot of witnesses and possibly documentation. Not sure where to find the actual information about the evidence used to convict him.

    3 votes
    1. unkz
      Link Parent
      It’s hard to find any specific evidence, but something that goes strongly to the credibility of the testimony is that at least one victim reported this 20 years ago....

      It’s hard to find any specific evidence, but something that goes strongly to the credibility of the testimony is that at least one victim reported this 20 years ago.

      https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-09-07/danny-masterson-sentenced-for-raping-former-scientologists

      A second-generation Scientologist, Jen B. knew that by speaking out against Masterson she would be in effect excommunicated from both the church and her family. When she reported the assault to the Los Angeles Police Department in 2004, Jen B. said, the church barred all of her relatives from communicating with her but made an exception for her parents because they had donated millions to the organization.

      So she was an active cult member at the time, and knew all about the church policies on suppressive persons and fairgaming people. She would never have tried to pull a false reporting scam under those conditions — it was guaranteed to ruin her life.

      12 votes
  9. [5]
    tomf
    Link
    am I alone in thinking that we should just kill rapists and call it a day?

    am I alone in thinking that we should just kill rapists and call it a day?

    1. unkz
      Link Parent
      I mean I think he is highly likely to be guilty here, but this case and many others are based pretty much on nothing but witness statements, or weak evidence, or prosecutorial misconduct. There...

      I mean I think he is highly likely to be guilty here, but this case and many others are based pretty much on nothing but witness statements, or weak evidence, or prosecutorial misconduct. There are a lot of innocent people in prison, and a lot of them are proved innocent later. Just look at the innocence project.

      https://innocenceproject.org

      17 votes
    2. Gekko
      Link Parent
      revenge killings aren't justice, they're just murder to satisfy a petty bloodlust

      revenge killings aren't justice, they're just murder to satisfy a petty bloodlust

      13 votes
    3. [2]
      DrStone
      Link Parent
      Recently in the news, Exoneration granted nearly 30 years after wrongful conviction [of home invasion and rape] in Wicomico County
      10 votes
      1. tomf
        Link Parent
        I mean, its bound to happen. But it does make a good case against my idea. I also think my idea / desire to see these people burn would lead to Minority Report. This shit pissed me off so much and...

        I mean, its bound to happen. But it does make a good case against my idea.

        I also think my idea / desire to see these people burn would lead to Minority Report.

        This shit pissed me off so much and I hate to see the properly guilty ones breathing.

        1 vote