Danny Masterson Loses Rape Conviction Appeal, 30 Years to Life Upheld

A California appeals court has upheld Danny Masterson's convictions for raping two women and his sentence of 30 years to life in prison, rejecting the former That '70s Show actor's claims that judicial bias against Scientology and other trial errors deprived him of a fair trial.

In an 89-page ruling issued Tuesday, October 27, 2026, a three-justice panel unanimously rejected Masterson's direct appeal and a separate habeas corpus petition alleging ineffective assistance of counsel. His attorneys plan to seek review from the California Supreme Court while pursuing additional challenges to his convictions.

Masterson argued that Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Charlaine Olmedo demonstrated hostility toward the Church of Scientology, of which he is a member, by comparing the organization to street gangs, white supremacist groups and outlaw motorcycle clubs. The appellate justices rejected that argument after reviewing the remarks in context.

Before Masterson's first trial in 2022, his attorneys had sought to limit references to Scientology, arguing that widespread negative public perceptions of the church could prejudice jurors. Olmedo questioned why testimony involving Scientology would be more prejudicial than evidence concerning gangs or extremist organizations routinely presented in criminal trials. The appellate court concluded that her comments did not establish religious bias.

The justices also upheld the admission of Scientology-related testimony, finding that it helped explain the women's delays in reporting the assaults, their relationships with the church and the circumstances surrounding their allegations. Jurors were instructed to consider that evidence for those limited purposes rather than evaluate Scientology's religious beliefs. The court determined that the restrictions did not violate First Amendment protections or amount to an abuse of judicial discretion.

Masterson also challenged the prosecution under California's statute of limitations, arguing that the charges were filed after the state's former 10-year deadline for forcible rape had expired. The appeals court rejected that claim, finding that an exception involving qualifying sexual offenses against multiple victims permitted the prosecution to proceed.

The actor was charged in 2020 with raping three women in separate incidents during the early 2000s, when he was starring on That '70s Show. His first trial ended with a hung jury in 2022. At a retrial in May 2023, jurors convicted him of raping two women but remained deadlocked on the third charge. He was sentenced that September to 30 years to life in prison.

All three women testified that Masterson drugged and sexually assaulted them, and each alleged that Scientology officials protected him or discouraged reporting while they were members of the church. The Church of Scientology has denied allegations that it prevents members from reporting crimes to law enforcement. Masterson has maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings.

His attorneys also challenged the exclusion of statements that they contend could have undermined the prosecution's case. According to the defense, the two women whose allegations resulted in convictions had previously described their sexual encounters with Masterson as consensual in conversations with friends. The appellate justices rejected the argument that the disputed evidence warranted overturning the verdicts.

In a separate habeas corpus petition, Masterson claimed his former lead trial attorney had failed to provide an adequate defense during the retrial. The appellate court rejected that challenge as well. Habeas corpus allows people in custody to challenge the legality of their detention, including on grounds involving ineffective legal representation.

Lead appellate attorney Cliff Gardner criticized the ruling and maintained that Masterson is serving a life sentence for crimes he did not commit. His legal team intends to petition the California Supreme Court for review while continuing to pursue additional habeas relief.

Masterson's convictions and 30-year-to-life sentence remain in effect as his attorneys prepare their next challenge.