Current:Home > MyLeah Remini Speaks Out After "Dangerous" Danny Masterson Is Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison -Global Finance Compass
Leah Remini Speaks Out After "Dangerous" Danny Masterson Is Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison
View
Date:2025-04-14 15:57:05
Leah Remini penned a strong message following Danny Masterson's sentencing for rape.
After the That ‘70s Show alum, who was found guilty of two counts of rape in May, was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison, the King of Queens star excoriated both Masterson and the Church of Scientology—of which he is a longtime member—while expressing her support for his victims.
"I am relieved that this dangerous rapist will be off the streets and unable to violently assault and rape women with the help of Scientology, a multi-billion-dollar criminal organization with tax-exempt status," Remini wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, Sept. 7. "Hearing the survivors read their victim impact statements aloud in court while the man who raped them and some of the very Scientologists who terrorized them over two decades were just a few feet away displayed a level of bravery that I am in awe of."
Furthermore, Remini, who was raised in the Church of Scientology and has becoming a vocal critic since leaving the organization, thanked the women for speaking up.
"The women who survived Danny's predation fought tirelessly for justice," she added. "Their tenacity, strength, and courage have given hope to all victims of Scientology that justice is possible. For that, we will forever be grateful. To the LAPD detectives, the LA District Attorney's office, Judge Olmedo, and the jury, we thank you for your fair and impartial approach to this case and trial."
Prosecutors had alleged that Masterson, who was arrested and charged on three counts of forcible rape in 2020, sexually assaulted three women in separate incidents between 2001 and 2003 at his Hollywood Hills home. Masterson's first trial in 2022 was declared a mistrial after a jury was unable to reach unanimous decisions for the three rape charges.
However, during Masterson's retrial, which took place earlier this year, the jury found him guilty on two counts. The jury was unable to did not reach a verdict on the third court.
The three women—identified as Jane Doe #1, Jane Doe #2 and Jane Doe #3—told the court they met Masterson through the Church of Scientology, later accusing the organization of pressuring them into not reporting the allegations to police, according to the Associated Press. The church denied their accusations in a May 31 statement obtained by E! News June 1, noting that the organization "has no policy prohibiting or discouraging members from reporting criminal conduct of anyone—Scientologists or not—to law enforcement."
Following The Ranch actor's sentencing, his lawyer Shawn Holley maintained that her client was innocent after the sentencing, noting in a statement to multiple outlets that a team of "top appellate lawyers in the country has been reviewing the transcripts of the trial" and "have identified a number of significant evidentiary and constitutional issues which they will address in briefs to both state and federal appellate courts."
The attorney—who had sought 15 years to life in prison, according to the Los Angeles Times—further indicated plans to appeal the sentencing.
Masterson, Holley added, "did not commit the crimes for which he has been convicted and we—and the appellate lawyers—the best and the brightest in the country—are confident that these convictions will be overturned."
E! News reached out to Masterson's attorneys for comment and has not heard back.
For its part, following Masterson's sentencing, the Church of Scientology released a statement, obtained by NBC News, calling the trial "an unprecedented violation of the First Amendment."
The organization added, "The Church was not a party to this case and religion did not belong in this proceeding as Supreme Court precedent has maintained for centuries."
(E! and NBC News are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)
For free, confidential help, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or visit rainn.org.veryGood! (89)
Related
- US wholesale inflation accelerated in November in sign that some price pressures remain elevated
- Northern California wildfire spreads, with more hot weather expected. Thousands evacuate
- Are Target, Walmart, Home Depot open on July 4th 2024? See retail store hours and details
- Biden to meet with Democratic governors as White House works to shore up support
- IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
- Horoscopes Today, July 2, 2024
- Defending Wimbledon women's champion Marketa Vondrousova ousted in first round
- 2 injured, 1 missing after ‘pyrotechnics’ incident at south Arkansas weapons facility
- All That You Wanted to Know About She’s All That
- Kemba Walker announces retirement; NCAA champion with UConn, four-time NBA All-Star
Ranking
- DeepSeek: Did a little known Chinese startup cause a 'Sputnik moment' for AI?
- New Mexico denies film incentive application on ‘Rust’ movie after fatal shooting by Alec Baldwin
- North Carolina Medicaid managed care extended further starting this week
- FDA approves new Alzheimer's treatment, donanemab from Eli Lilly
- NHL in ASL returns, delivering American Sign Language analysis for Deaf community at Winter Classic
- Authorities, churches identify 6 family members killed in Wisconsin house fire
- Zac Efron Reveals the Moment He Knew High School Musical Would Be a Success
- Indianapolis police department to stop selling its used guns following CBS News investigation
Recommendation
Behind on your annual reading goal? Books under 200 pages to read before 2024 ends
Tashaun Gipson suspended six games by NFL for PED policy violation
Seattle plastic surgery provider accused of posting fake positive reviews must pay $5M
New York Giants on 'Hard Knocks': Team doubles down on Daniel Jones over Saquon Barkley
Krispy Kreme offers a free dozen Grinch green doughnuts: When to get the deal
Lily Allen Starts OnlyFans Account for Her Feet
French election first-round results show gains for far-right, drawing warnings ahead of decisive second-round
High school journalism removed from Opportunity Scholarship