As Danny Masterson faced sentencing for his Los Angeles rape case, Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis wrote letters of support in an effort to sway the judge to show leniency. They were among 50 individuals who submitted letters to Judge Charlaine F. Olmedo before the September 7 sentencing. In their letters, the That ’70s Show stars Kutcher and Kunis emphasized their longstanding friendship with Masterson, describing him as a “role model” with “exceptional character.”
Besides Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis, other notable individuals wrote letters to the judge in support of Danny Masterson. Debra Jo Rupp and Kurtwood Smith, known for their roles as Kitty and Red Forman on the Fox sitcom, contributed letters. Actors Giovanni Ribisi and William Baldwin also submitted letters, with William Baldwin’s wife, Chynna Phillips, being the sister of Masterson’s wife, Bijou Phillips.
In his letter dated July 27, which was obtained by legal affairs journalist Meghann Cuniff, Ashton Kutcher recounted his first meeting with Masterson in 1998 when he was just 20 years old. Kutcher emphasized their immediate friendship and credited Masterson with helping him avoid the pitfalls of the Hollywood drug scene, stating that he attributed “not falling into the typical Hollywood life of drugs directly to” Masterson.
Any time we were to meet someone or interact with someone who was on drugs, or did drugs, he made it clear that wouldn’t be a good person to be friends with.
And for me, that was an implication that if I were to do drugs, he wouldn’t want to be friends with me, which is something I never would want to risk or jeopardize,
Kutcher mentioned in the letter.
While I’m aware that the judgment has been cast as guilty on two counts of rape by force and the victims have a great desire for justice, I hope that my testament to his character is taken into consideration in sentencing. I do not believe he is an ongoing harm to society and having his daughter raised without a present father would [be] injustice in and of itself,
he concluded his letter.
Mila Kunis also highlighted Danny Masterson’s “unwavering” dedication to discouraging drug use in her letter of support.
Danny’s role as a husband and father to his daughter has been nothing short of extraordinary,
she wrote.
Danny Masterson faced allegations of drugging the drinks of women who accused him of rape at his Hollywood Hills residence. On May 31, he was convicted of forcible rape involving two women, both of whom were former members of the Church of Scientology.
At his sentencing hearing, Danny Masterson showed little emotion as victim impact statements were read. Subsequently, he received a prison sentence of 30 years to life.
According to a spokesperson from the Sheriff’s Information Bureau at the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Hall of Justice, Danny Masterson is currently held in a single-occupancy cell, and safety checks are conducted approximately every 30 minutes.
In a letter dated August 8, Giovanni Ribisi mentioned that he had known Danny Masterson since the age of nine.
have always known Danny to be an ethical, honest person, who lived with the highest standards in work and family.
I know Danny has been convicted of two counts of forcible rape. I only ask that you consider his daughter in his sentencing.
Ribisi, a Scientologist himself, concluded.
In a letter addressed to the judge and dated August 3, William Baldwin emphasized Danny Masterson’s dedication to being a father to his and Bijou’s 9-year-old daughter, Fianna.
Since he has been incarcerated, I have heard him on the phone with his daughter helping her with her math homework while she tries to navigate through this devastating life-changing event at only nine years old,
he wrote.
I pray to God that you will consider the entirety of who Danny is when considering his sentence,
Baldwin added.
The judge remained unmoved by the appeals made on behalf of Danny Masterson. She not only rejected the motion for a new trial presented by Masterson’s lawyer but also directed pointed remarks toward the actor, known for his role as Steven Hyde on That ’70s Show.
Mr. Masterson, you are not the victim here.
the judge said.
Your actions 20 years ago took away another person’s choice and voice.
Your actions 20 years ago today were criminal, and that’s why you are here,
Masterson’s attorney, Shawn Holley, intends to file an appeal based on the assertion that her team has identified several substantial evidentiary and constitutional issues. These issues will be addressed in briefs submitted to both state and federal appellate courts.