Current:Home > NewsLeah Remini Speaks Out After "Dangerous" Danny Masterson Is Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison -Insightful Finance Hub
Leah Remini Speaks Out After "Dangerous" Danny Masterson Is Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison
View
Date:2025-04-15 06:21:50
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! (16)
Related
- US appeals court rejects Nasdaq’s diversity rules for company boards
- Orioles get swept for 1st time in 2023, lose AL Division Series in 3 games to Rangers
- Could a beer shortage be looming? Changing weather could hit hops needed in brews
- RHOSLC's Heather Gay Responds to Mary Cosby's Body-Shaming Comments
- Realtor group picks top 10 housing hot spots for 2025: Did your city make the list?
- King Charles III to travel to Kenya for state visit full of symbolism
- Rare birdwing butterflies star in federal case against NY man accused of trafficking insects
- Kentucky leaders celebrate end of Army’s chemical weapons destruction program
- California DMV apologizes for license plate that some say mocks Oct. 7 attack on Israel
- Apartment fire in northwestern Spain kills 4 people, including 3 children
Ranking
- Rolling Loud 2024: Lineup, how to stream the world's largest hip hop music festival
- Gloria Trevi reveals 2024 Mi Soundtrack World tour with epic helicopter entrance at LA event
- Wisconsin GOP leader reveals names of former justices he asked to look at impeachment
- ACT test scores for US students drop to new 30-year low
- Sam Taylor
- Voters in Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz's home district have divided opinions after McCarthy's House speaker ouster
- Lidia dissipates after killing 1, injuring 2 near Mexico resort, Atlantic sees Tropical Storm Sean
- The Supreme Court signals support for a Republican-leaning congressional district in South Carolina
Recommendation
Can Bill Belichick turn North Carolina into a winner? At 72, he's chasing one last high
These Maya women softballers defy machismo — from their mighty bats to their bare toes
Holly Willoughby quits 'This Morning' after man arrested for alleged attempt to murder her
Confrontation led to fatal shooting at private party at Pennsylvania community center, police say
Tree trimmer dead after getting caught in wood chipper at Florida town hall
Keith Urban shares the secret to a great song ahead of Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Ceremony
What is Hamas? What to know about the group attacking Israel
Keith Urban shares the secret to a great song ahead of Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Ceremony