The Aporia · California appeals court upholds actor Danny Masterson's rape convictions

A California appeals court upheld actor Danny Masterson's convictions and 30-year sentence for raping two women in 2003. In an 89-page ruling, judges rejected all of Masterson’s arguments, including claims that his defense was inadequate and that evidence was improperly excluded. Masterson’s attorneys stated they will seek a review by the California Supreme Court. The case involves allegations made by former members of the Church of Scientology against whom church officials allegedly discouraged from reporting their assaults as rape.

Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-28, using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the same event (that is the story summary below).

Story summary

Danny Masterson has lost his appeal against his rape conviction, with a California appeals court upholding the original 30-year prison sentence on October 28, 2026. The actor was convicted in 2023 of raping two women in Los Angeles, California, in 2003; a third charge related to an incident in 2001 was dismissed due to the statute of limitations. Masterson’s lawyers argued that Superior Court Judge Charlaine F. Olmedo had shown bias against Scientology during the trial but were rejected by the three-judge panel in an 89-page ruling, which found no evidence of such bias. The court also denied other arguments concerning evidentiary rulings and the statute of limitations. Masterson's legal team now plans to appeal to the California Supreme Court.

Written for “Danny Masterson Rape Conviction Upheld” on 2026-10-28, grounded in this article and the 1 other(s) covering the same event.

📰 Danny Masterson Rape Conviction Upheld

Crime & Law · 2 article(s) covering the same event. See how they differ ↓

This article reads unscored and hedges 8% of its claims. Each row says how that neighbour differs.

Danny Masterson loses appeal against rape conviction after arguing judge was biased against Scientology same event · 100%

The Guardian

⚖️ leaning not scored 🔴 0% hedged 0 of 19 📰 publisher trust 66

“Both articles describe Danny Masterson's appeal of his rape convictions being upheld on October 28, 2026.”

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Via AP news wire

17 article(s) here · 1 carrying a prediction

🔮 In an 89-page ruling, the three-judge panel unanimously found that the “That '70s Show” actor had failed to demonstrate that the lower court made errors that would warrant granting him a new trial.

2026-10-28 · assertive framing · California appeals court upholds actor Danny Masterson's rape convictions

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Wire or desk byline, not an individual reporter.

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In an 89-page ruling, the three-judge panel unanimously found that the “That '70s Show” actor had failed to demonstrate that the lower court made errors that would warrant granting him a new trial.

framing: assertive · carried by 1 article(s) · first seen 2026-10-28

2026-10-28 · The Independent

California appeals court upholds actor Danny Masterson's rape convictions · assertive framing

A California appeals court on Tuesday upheld actor Danny Masterson 's convictions and long prison sentence for raping two women at his home in 2003. asserted

court → uphold → 2003

that → find → trial

The panel also rejected a petition filed by Masterson that claimed ineffective assistance of counsel. asserted

that → reject → counsel

Masterson's first trial ended with a deadlocked jury in 2022, but at his retrial the following year, he was convicted of raping two women. asserted

he → end → women

He was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison. asserted

He → sentence → prison

His attorneys said in an emailed statement Tuesday that they would seek review at the California Supreme Court. asserted

they → say → Court

Among the claims that the court rejected were that Masterson's convictions violated the 10-year statute of limitations for forcible rape, as the statute does not apply where there are multiple victims; that the trial court excluded evidence in his favor; and that the trial court exhibited bias against his religion. uncertain

court → reject → religion

Masterson is a prominent member of the Church of Scientology, and his accusers are former members who said they grew disillusioned with the institution after they were assaulted. asserted

they → say → institution

They said church officials told them what had happened to them was not rape, and that its policies prevented them from going to police. asserted

policies → say → police

The church vehemently denied having any such policy. asserted

church → deny → policy

Masterson, 50, has been serving his sentence at the California Men’s Colony in San Luis Obispo. asserted

Masterson → serve → Obispo

Masterson starred with Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis and Topher Grace in “That ’70s Show” from 1998 until 2006. asserted

Masterson → star → 2006

He had reunited with Kutcher on the 2016 Netflix comedy “The Ranch,” but he was written off the show after the allegations surfaced. asserted

allegations → reunite → show

California appeals court upholds actor Danny Masterson's rape convictions

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