

The other two women had waited more than 15 years before reporting him to anyone other than church officials. No charges came from the woman’s 2004 police report, but she returned to authorities when she learned they were investigating Masterson again in 2016.
#P s c 25 to life song trial#
The church said in a statement after the trial that it has “no policy prohibiting or discouraging members from reporting criminal conduct of anyone - Scientologists or not - to law enforcement.” It has also denied ever harassing any of the women. It seemed the world I knew didn’t want me to live.” “I didn’t exist outside the Scientology world. I lost my ability to contact anyone I’d known or loved my entire life,” she said. Prosecutors alleged that Masterson used his prominence in the Church of Scientology - where all three women were also members at the time - to avoid consequences for decades after the attacks, and the women blamed the church for their hesitancy in going to police about Masterson.Īt the sentencing hearing, one of the women, who like Masterson was born into the church, said she was shunned and ostracized for going to authorities in 2004. Masterson did not commit the crimes for which he was convicted.” She said a team of appellate lawyers has identified “a number of significant evidentiary and constitutional issues” with his convictions, which they are confident will be overturned.

“And the life of his 9-year-old daughter, who means the world to him, and to whom he means the world.”Īfter the hearing, Holley said in a statement that “Mr. “It’s his life that will be impacted by what you decide today,” Masterson’s lawyer Shawn Holley told the judge before the sentencing.

#P s c 25 to life song full#
The prosecution asked for the full 30 years to life sentence Masterson was eligible for. The defense sought to have sentences for the two convictions run simultaneously, and asked for a sentence of 15 years to life. One way or another you will have to come to terms with your prior actions, and their consequences.” Your actions 20 years ago took away another person’s voice, and choice. “I know that you’re sitting here steadfast in your claims of innocence, and thus no doubt feeling victimized by a justice system that has failed you,” Olmedo told Masterson before handing down the sentence.

It means Masterson will be eligible for parole after serving 25 1/2 years, but can be held in prison for life. The sentence was the maximum allowed by law. The judge sentenced the actor after rejecting a defense motion for a new trial that was argued earlier Thursday. They could not reach a verdict on the third count, an allegation that Masterson also raped a longtime girlfriend. Both attacks took place in Masterson’s Hollywood-area home in 2003, when he was at the height of his fame on the Fox network sitcom “That ’70s Show.” His wife, actor Bijou Phillips, was tearful earlier in the hearing.Īt his second trial, a jury found Masterson guilty of two of three rape counts on May 31. Masterson waived his right to speak before he was sentenced and had no visible reaction after the judge’s decision, nor did the many family members sitting beside him.
