‘That ‘70s Show’ Actor Danny Masterson Guilty in Rape Retrial

Danny Masterson, known as a "That '70s Show' actor, was found guilty of two out of three counts of rape in his Los Angeles sexual assault retrial.

The 'That 70s Show' star is now facing up to 30 years in prison, according to the prosecutors of the rape retrial.

'That '70s Show' Actor Danny Masterson Guilty of Rape

After months of legal and courtroom drama, the jury decided on the trial of Masterson. The actor, once known for his charismatic portrayal of Steven Hyde in the hit sitcom 'That '70s Show,' was found guilty on charges of raping two women, per Associate Press News.

The jury, composed of seven women and five men, deliberated for seven days in the past two weeks before handing out the verdict. However, they failed to reach a verdict on the third count of rape, wherein Masterson was accused of raping his longtime girlfriend.

Masterson, who has vehemently denied all allegations from the beginning, now faces the grim reality of the consequences. After the guilty verdict, the actor came out of the courtroom in handcuffs and was taken by the authorities into custody. He is set to face his sentence on August 4. The ex-sitcom star faces 30 years of imprisonment for the two counts of rape.

According to the BBC, three women have accused the former sitcom actor of sexual assault in his house in Hollywood between 2001 and 2003.

One of the women who accused Masterson of sexual assault responded to the verdict. She says, "I am experiencing a complex array of emotions - relief, exhaustion, strength, sadness - knowing that my abuser, Danny Masterson, will face accountability for his criminal behavior." However, she expressed her utter disappointment since the actor was not convicted on the third count of rape.

Meanwhile, the other accuser thanked the jury for their decision. But she still feels devastated that the ex-sitcom actor "dodged criminal accountability for his heinous conduct against me."

Danny Masterson's Rape Retrial

At the height of the sensational #MeToo movement in 2017, Materson faced accusations that the actor was a rapist. However, he dismissed the allegations, citing that he was never charged nor convicted of any crime to prove his guilt. The actor also slammed the movement. He says, "It seems as if you are presumed guilty the moment you are accused."

After the investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department, which lasted for three years, sexual assault charges against Materson have been filed in court.

Vulture reports that the first rape trial involving Masterson ended in a mistrial in 2022, wherein the actor pleaded not guilty. Upon the retrial, the Los Angeles jury found the 'That '70s Show' star guilty of two counts of rape.