Danny Masterson appeals 2023 rape conviction

Danny Masterson has filed an appeal to his 2023 rape conviction.

The That 70s Show actor was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison in 2023, but his legal team have requested his convictions be overturned as they claim "the trial was rife with erroneous judicial rulings".

His lawyer Cliff Gardner said in a statement: "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.

"But the appeal represents only one part of Danny's challenge to his convictions.

"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."

In September 2023, Masterson was found guilty of raping two women 20 years ago.

At the sentencing, Judge Charlaine F Olmedo had told him: "One way or another, you will have to come to terms with your prior actions and their consequences. You were not convicted based on rumors, innuendo, gossip, and speculation."

He was denied bail earlier in 2024 after appealing against his conviction.

In January, his lawyers had said: "Defendant requests that this court grant bail on appeal, and offers to comply with any relevant terms and conditions imposed by the court that enable him to be an at-home parent and financial provider for his family, including house arrest and/or participation in an electronic monitoring program administered by the probation department."

They argued he possessed a "lack of dangerousness" and would not be a flight risk, claiming they now had "extensive exculpatory evidence that was not presented to the jury".