(Corrects spelling of decide’s identify in paragraph 3)
By Rollo Ross
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) -“That ’70s Present” actor Danny Masterson was sentenced on Thursday to 30 years to life in jail for raping two girls about 20 years in the past in a case that stirred controversy across the Church of Scientology.
The 47-year-old actor and outstanding Scientologist, who starred within the retro TV comedy for eight seasons till 2006, was convicted in June in a second trial. A jury deadlocked on a cost that he raped a 3rd girl.
Decide Charlaine Olmedo introduced the sentence in Los Angeles Superior Court docket.
Masterson appeared composed as the ladies gave sufferer affect statements. He was provided the prospect to talk, however declined.
“I forgive you. Your illness is not mine to bear,” mentioned one sufferer, recognized solely as Jane Doe 2 within the case.
The case drew consideration partially as a result of Masterson met the ladies by means of the Church of Scientology, and his accusers mentioned the group discouraged them from contacting legislation enforcement.
The Church of Scientology denied that declare and mentioned Masterson’s faith shouldn’t have been a problem within the case.
The ladies mentioned Masterson drugged and raped them in separate incidents between 2001 and 2003 at his home within the Hollywood Hills.
Allegations in opposition to Masterson damage his profession. When he was first accused of sexually assaulting a number of girls in 2017, he was fired from the Netflix collection “The Ranch.”
(Reporting by Lisa Richwine; enhancing by Jonathan Oatis and Cynthia Osterman)