Danny Masterson Seeks to Overturn Rape Convictions Citing Lawyer Errors
Actor Danny Masterson is petitioning to overturn his two rape convictions and 30-year prison sentence, alleging his trial lawyer made critical errors by failing to present key evidence and witnesses.
Overview
Actor Danny Masterson is petitioning to overturn his two rape convictions and subsequent 30-years-to-life prison sentence, arguing his trial lawyer made significant errors during the proceedings.
Masterson's petition specifically alleges that his trial lawyer failed to call crucial witnesses and introduce essential exculpatory evidence that could have impacted the jury's decision.
The defense lawyer, Cohen, reportedly only engaged with two out of 20 potential witnesses, which Masterson claims contributed to errors in his defense case.
Masterson's legal team also asserts that the trial judge exhibited bias against the Church of Scientology, further impacting the fairness of the proceedings.
This appeal follows Masterson's first trial ending in a mistrial, with a subsequent conviction for raping two women in 2003, which he now seeks to have tossed.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame this story by subtly undermining Danny Masterson's appeal petition through editorial interjections. They use evaluative language and highlight perceived omissions in the petition, creating a narrative that questions its credibility and completeness. This approach suggests the petition's claims are self-serving or selectively presented, rather than offering a neutral report of its contents.
Articles (3)
FAQ
Danny Masterson alleges his trial lawyer, Philip Cohen, failed to call any witnesses and did not introduce essential exculpatory evidence that could have helped his defense. Cohen also reportedly did not challenge the prosecution's portrayal of the Church of Scientology, which Masterson claims biased the trial.
Masterson's legal team claims the trial judge showed bias against the Church of Scientology by allowing prosecution to portray the church as an intimidation force without sufficient counterarguments, affecting the fairness of the trial.
The first trial ended in a mistrial due to a deadlocked jury. In the retrial held in 2023, Masterson was convicted of two of three counts of forcible rape and sentenced to 30 years to life in prison; the jury was hung on the third count.
The petition argues that his imprisonment is unlawful due to failures by his defense counsel to present exculpatory evidence and call witnesses, judicial bias against Scientology, and prosecutorial misconduct, demanding a new trial where the jury can hear his full side.
The Church of Scientology was a key context element, with jurors hearing that victims were discouraged by Scientology from reporting Masterson. The prosecution portrayed the church as an intimidation force, a characterization that Masterson's defense failed to effectively counter during trial.
History
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