Danny Masterson has officially filed an appeal to overturn his 2023 rape conviction. The 48-year-old That ’70s Show actor, who was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison for two counts of forcible rape, is seeking to have his case reexamined.
On Wednesday, December 18, Masterson’s legal team submitted court documents challenging the ruling. According to USA Today, his attorney, Cliff Gardner, filed an appellant opening brief highlighting what they claim were serious errors in the trial process.
“The Appellant’s Opening Brief submitted on December 18, 2024, demonstrates two fundamental flaws in Danny Masterson’s convictions: (1) the trial was rife with erroneous judicial rulings that skewed the jury’s view of the evidence against him and (2) there was a stunning amount of exculpatory evidence which was never presented to the jury,” Gardner stated.
The defense team argued that these alleged flaws compromised Masterson’s right to a fair trial.
Gardner also indicated that this appeal is only the first step in a broader legal strategy to overturn the conviction. “But the appeal represents only one part of Danny’s challenge to his convictions,” he explained. “Danny’s habeas lawyer will be following up on the opening brief with a Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus documenting additional defects in the trial process. Stay tuned as we work toward Danny’s complete exoneration.”
Masterson’s legal troubles are compounded by personal challenges. Following his sentencing in September 2023, his wife, Bijou Phillips, filed for divorce. The pair had been married since 2011 and share a daughter.
In January 2024, Masterson was also denied bail, with his legal team’s efforts to secure his release proving unsuccessful.
