Current:Home > ScamsLeah Remini Speaks Out After "Dangerous" Danny Masterson Is Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison -ValueCore
Leah Remini Speaks Out After "Dangerous" Danny Masterson Is Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison
View
Date:2025-04-14 20:51:51
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! (2)
Related
- Opinion: Gianni Infantino, FIFA sell souls and 2034 World Cup for Saudi Arabia's billions
- A clemency petition is his last hope. The Missouri inmate is unhappy with it.
- Fight over constitutional provisions to guard against oil, gas pollution moves ahead in New Mexico
- These states have made progress in legal protections of the LGBTQ+ community: See maps
- This was the average Social Security benefit in 2004, and here's what it is now
- These American Flag Swimsuits Are Red, White & Cute: Amazon, Cupshe, Target, Old Navy & More
- Jrue Holiday steps up for struggling Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown in Celtics' Game 2 win
- Sarah Paulson on why Tony nomination for her role in the play Appropriate feels meaningful
- Grammy nominee Teddy Swims on love, growth and embracing change
- Shark attack victims are recovering from life-altering injuries in Florida panhandle
Ranking
- The Grammy nominee you need to hear: Esperanza Spalding
- These American Flag Swimsuits Are Red, White & Cute: Amazon, Cupshe, Target, Old Navy & More
- Tuition is rising for students at University of Alabama’s 3 campuses
- How to stop Google from listening to your every word
- Chuck Scarborough signs off: Hoda Kotb, Al Roker tribute legendary New York anchor
- Microsoft highlights slate of games during annual Xbox Games Showcase 2024
- Pennsylvania Senate passes a bill to outlaw the distribution of deepfake material
- In Wyoming, Bill Gates moves ahead with nuclear project aimed at revolutionizing power generation
Recommendation
Woman dies after Singapore family of 3 gets into accident in Taiwan
Best in Show: Father's Day Gifts to Make Every Dog Dad Feel Like Top Dog
Police update number of people injured in Madison rooftop shooting to 12
Mexican authorities clear one of Mexico City’s largest downtown migrant tent encampments
'No Good Deed': Who's the killer in the Netflix comedy? And will there be a Season 2?
2 Bronx men plead guilty to drug charges in fentanyl poisoning of toddler who died at daycare
This NYC vet makes house calls. In ‘Pets and the City,’ she’s penned a memoir full of tails
Score 60% Off Banana Republic, 30% Off Peter Thomas Roth, 50% Off CB2 & More of Today's Best Deals