‘That ’70s Show’ Actor Danny Masterson Gets 30 Years For Rapes Of 2 Women

Published

1 year ago

2023-09-07

(LOS ANGELES) – Danny Masterson, the star of “That ’70s Show,” was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison on Thursday for raping two women, providing them some solace after they talked in court about the decades of devastation he wrought.

“When you raped me, you stole from me,” said one of the victims of Masterson’s rape in 2003. “That’s what rape is, a theft of the spirit.”

“You’re pathetic, disturbed, and completely violent,” she declared. “The world is better off with you in prison.”

After hearing the women’s allegations and defense attorneys’ pleas for fairness, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Charlaine F. Olmedo sentenced the 47-year-old Danny.

The actor, who has been detained since May, dressed formally in court. Masterson stood there silently, watching the women as they spoke. He maintains his innocence, and his lawyers intend to file an appeal.

The other woman Danny raped stated he “has not shown an ounce of remorse for the pain he caused.” “I knew he belonged behind bars for the safety of all the women he came into contact with,” she told the judge. I’m deeply sad and upset. I wish I had reported him to the police sooner.”

Prosecutors retried Masterson on all three counts earlier this year after an initial jury failed to reach verdicts on three counts of rape in December, resulting in a mistrial.

Masterson waived his opportunity to speak before being sentenced, and neither he nor the many family members sitting beside him showed any outward reaction to the judge’s decision. Earlier in the hearing, his wife, actress Bijou Phillips, was visibly moved.

Danny Masterson, the star of “That ’70s Show,” was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison on Thursday for raping two women.

On May 31, Masterson was found guilty of two of three rape counts in his second trial. Both attacks occurred in Masterson’s Hollywood-area home in 2003, at the height of his stardom from the Fox network series “That ’70s Show.”

They could not decide on the third accusation, which said that Danny had raped a longtime lover.

The actor was sentenced after the judge denied the defense’s plea for a fresh trial, which was debated earlier Thursday. The penalty was the utmost permissible by law. Danny will be eligible for parole after serving 25 1/2 years but could be imprisoned for life.

“I know you’re sitting here steadfast in your claims of innocence, and thus no doubt feeling victimised by a justice system that has failed you,” Olmedo said before delivering the sentence to Masterson. “However, Mr. Masterson, you are not the victim in this case. Your actions 20 years ago robbed another individual of their voice and choice. You will have to confront your previous choices and their repercussions in some way.”

The defense requested that the terms for the two convictions run concurrently and requested a sentence of 15 years to life. The prosecution sought the maximum punishment of 30 years to life for Masterson.

“What you decide today will have an impact on his life,” Masterson’s lawyer, Shawn Holley, told the judge before the sentencing. “And the life of his 9-year-old daughter, who means the world to him, and to whom he means the world.”

Danny Masterson, the star of “That ’70s Show,” was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison on Thursday for raping two women.

Holley stated following the hearing that “Mr. Masterson did not commit the crimes for which he was convicted.” She stated that an appellate team has uncovered “several significant evidentiary and constitutional issues” with his convictions, which she believes will be reversed.

Prosecutors claimed that Masterson exploited his position in the Church of Scientology, of which all three women were members at the time, to evade punishment for decades after the attacks, and the ladies blamed the church for their reluctance to report Masterson to police.

At the sentencing hearing, one of the women, born into a religion like Masterson, said she was rejected and ostracised for reporting the abuse in 2004.

“I had lost everything.” I had lost my faith. “I lost contact with anyone I’d known or loved my entire life,” she explained. “I didn’t exist outside of Scientology.” At the age of 29, I had to restart my life. The world I knew didn’t seem to want me to survive.”

In a statement issued during the trial, the church stated that it has “no policy prohibiting or discouraging members from reporting criminal conduct of anyone — Scientologists or not — to law enforcement.” It has also stated that it has never harassed any of the ladies.

The woman’s 2004 police report resulted in no charges, but she went to authorities when she learned they were investigating Masterson again in 2016. The other two ladies had reported him to church officials for over 15 years.

The ladies testified at both trials that they were at Masterson’s house in 2003 when he drugged them before raping them.

Danny Masterson, the star of “That ’70s Show,” was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison on Thursday for raping two women.

They said on Thursday that the trauma had harmed their relationships and filled their lives with anxiety for decades. They did, however, express relief at his sentencing.

“I don’t have to carry your shame around with me anymore,” stated the first woman to speak up. “You must now bear that shame.” You must sit in a cell and keep it.”

From 1998 through 2006, Masterson co-starred in “That ’70s Show” with Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis, and Topher Grace.

He reconnected with Kutcher on the 2016 Netflix comedy “The Ranch,” but was fired after the Los Angeles Police Department probe was publicized the following year.

While the investigation began before a wave of women rattled Hollywood with revelations about Harvey Weinstein in October 2017, the prosecution and sentencing of Masterson and Weinstein’s conviction last year represented a landmark #MeToo era win for Los Angeles prosecutors.

SOURCE – (AP)

News

Trudeau Rocks to Taylor Swift While Montreal Burns

Published

6 hours ago

2024-11-24

Geoff Brown

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has come under fire yet again after a video surfaced on X, showing him dancing at a Taylor Swift performance while anti-Nato protestors ransacked downtown Montreal.

Trudeau attended Taylor Swift’s concert in Toronto on Friday night. Before Taylor Swift approached the stage, X shared a viral video of him dancing and singing along to the song “You Don’t Own Me.”

The image of Trudeau dancing amid violent protests in Montreal generated widespread indignation online. Some social media users even compared Trudeau to the ancient Roman dictator Nero, known for “fiddling while Rome burned.”

Don Stewart, a Member of Parliament (MP) representing part of Toronto, called out the prime minister in a post on X.

Lawless protestors run roughshod over Montreal in violent protest.

The Prime Minister dances.

This is the Canada built by the Liberal government.

Bring back law and order, safe streets and communities in the Canada we once knew and loved. pic.twitter.com/PVJvR6gtmf

— Don Stewart (@donstewartmp) November 23, 2024

“Lawless protesters run roughshod over Montreal in violent protest. The Prime Minister dances,” Stewart wrote. “This is the Canada built by the Liberal government.”

“Bring back law and order, safe streets and communities in the Canada we once knew and loved,” the MP added.

On Saturday, the day after Taylor Swift’s concert, Trudeau condemned the anti-NATO protests, calling them “appalling.”

Anti-NATO activists set off smoke bombs and marched through Montreal’s streets waving Palestinian flags. According to the Montreal Gazette, rioters set fire to automobiles and battled with police.

Pro-Palestinian protests

Protesters also tossed tiny explosives and metal objects at officers. At one point, the mob torched an effigy of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Police used tear gas and batons to disperse the gathering, and three persons were arrested for attacking officers and impeding police operations.

Masked protesters were seen burning flares and bashing storefront windows in videos and photographs shared on social media. Pro-Palestinian protests have been taking place across Canada since the Israel-Gaza conflict began late last year.

Critics have lambasted Trudeau for doing nothing to stop the violent pro-Palestinian marches, with some claiming he has fueled anti-Israel sentiment in Canada.

On Friday, Trudeau stated that Canada would respect the orders of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which issued an arrest warrant for Mr Netanyahu, even if it meant arresting the Israeli prime leader on Canadian soil.

Trudeau Called the Greatest Threat to NATO

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News

Calgary Zoo Admits Human Error in Death of Baby Gorilla

Published

7 hours ago

2024-11-24

Geoff Brown

The zookeeper's negligence caused the death of a 2-year-old baby gorilla

The Calgary Zoo has admitted in a public statement that a zookeeper’s negligence caused the death of a 2-year-old baby gorilla. Eyare, a newborn gorilla, died last week after being slammed in the head by a hydraulic door.

The accident occurred when a zoo worker attempted to separate Eyare from the rest of the gorilla tribe for a solitary training session.

The gorilla died from significant head injuries, according to the zoo’s statement.

“This tragedy has struck us all in the deepest way imaginable,” Colleen Baird, director of animal care at the Calgary Zoo, said during a news conference. “Eyare’s brief but meaningful existence gave so much joy to our community, and all will sorely miss her. We will do everything possible to prevent repeat accidents.”

According to Baird, the staff member involved was immediately removed from the workplace and will be reassigned to another area of the zoo. The Calgary Zoo stated that it would take preventive steps, such as specialist personnel training and animal behavioral training, to avoid a similar incident.

Calgary Zoo Questioned

It is not the first time an animal at the zoo has died from negligence at the Calgary Zoo. A capybara was accidentally crushed by a hydraulic door similar to the one that killed Eyare in 2019.

An otter died in 2016 after being entangled in an “unauthorized” pair of jeans that a zookeeper had dropped in its enclosure. In 2013, a penguin died in “a freak accident” after swallowing a stick.

Animal Justice, a Canadian group that promotes animal welfare, has called for an independent investigation of animal safety and oversight at the Alberta facility.

“The Calgary Zoo appears to have a higher rate of animal deaths compared to other zoos, and in light of Eyare’s death there should be a systematic review of the zoo’s operations and practices, conducted transparently by the government or another outside party,” according to Camille Labchuk, the executive director of Animal Justice.

The Calgary Zoo refuted that it has more animal deaths than other zoos, emphasizing that it adheres to operating requirements and has maintained accreditation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ independent Accreditation Commission since 1978.

“We love and care for more than 4,000 animals representing over 100 species that call our zoo home,” stated a Calgary Zoo representative.

“Human error-related deaths in animals are quite infrequent. We have lost two animals in the last ten years: a North American river otter in 2016 and ‘Eyare’ this week.

While rare, even one human-caused death is too many. These unfortunate instances have served as vital learning experiences, prompting us to examine and tighten protocols to provide the greatest level of care.”

Baird said at the news conference that using hydraulic doors is “common practice with accredited zoos,” adding that the facility will consider switching to alternate doors to improve safety.

The Calgary Zoo, which established the Wilder Institute in 2021, caters to nearly 4,000 creatures, including six more western lowland gorillas.

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News

Canada’s Lotto Max jackpot Climbs to $80M

Published

7 hours ago

2024-11-24

Geoff Brown

Lotto Max in Canada has reached $80 million for only the second time in Canadian lottery history. Friday’s draw sought a winner for a $75 million pool, but the top reward remained unclaimed as of Saturday, increasing the jackpot.

Only once did the jackpot reach $80 million in September, when it broke the previous record. Before that, the prize was $75 million, a record.

The Lotto Max prize maximum was boosted earlier this year, enabling for jackpots of more than $70 million. The cap is now at $80 million.
While a greater fee may encourage more people to play, the odds of winning the lottery remain extremely low.

According to the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, the odds for a $5 ticket are around one in 33,294,800.

While there was no jackpot winner in Friday’s draw, someone did match six of the seven winning numbers, plus a bonus, earning them a payout of more than $320,000.

Lotto Max History

Lotto Max is one of three national lottery games in Canada, overseen by the Interprovincial Lottery Corporation. The game was introduced on September 19, 2009, and its inaugural draw occurred on September 25, 2009. It replaced Lotto Super 7.

The odds of winning the Lotto Max are 1 in 33,294,800. This is correct to a point but misleading.

Let’s have a look at the rules:

Players choose 7 numbers out of 50
Numbers cannot be repeated
Numbers are automatically sorted into ascending order
Each play buys 3 lines
Each play costs $5

Seeing that players choose 7 out of 50 non-repeating numbers, the equation for the total number of possible combinations (this is different from permutations where the order in which the numbers appear is significant) when playing the Lotto Max is 50! / (7! x 43!)