Current:Home > NewsLeah Remini Speaks Out After "Dangerous" Danny Masterson Is Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison -Wealth Evolution Experts
Leah Remini Speaks Out After "Dangerous" Danny Masterson Is Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison
View
Date:2025-04-15 10:55:45
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! (44)
Related
- Beware of giant spiders: Thousands of tarantulas to emerge in 3 states for mating season
- Taylor Swift’s Cousin Teases Mastermind Behind Her and Travis Kelce's Love Story
- Rhode Island governor says higher wages, better student scores and new housing among his top goals
- Chuck E. Cheese has a 'super-sized' game show in the works amid financial woes
- JoJo Siwa reflects on Candace Cameron Bure feud: 'If I saw her, I would not say hi'
- Harvey Weinstein, MSG exec James Dolan sued for sexual assault by former massage therapist
- California emergency services official sued for sexual harassment, retaliation
- NYPD says 2 officers shot during domestic call in Brooklyn expected to recover; suspect also wounded
- Elon Musk's skyrocketing net worth: He's the first person with over $400 billion
- US, South Korea and Japan conduct naval drills as tensions deepen with North Korea
Ranking
- RFK Jr. closer to getting on New Jersey ballot after judge rules he didn’t violate ‘sore loser’ law
- Uber shutting down alcohol delivery app Drizly after buying it for $1.1 billion
- How do you handle a personal crisis at work? What managers should know. Ask HR
- U.S. says Houthi missiles fired at cargo ship, U.S. warship in Red Sea amid strikes against Iran-backed rebels
- John Galliano out at Maison Margiela, capping year of fashion designer musical chairs
- New Hampshire gets its turn after Trump’s big win in Iowa puts new pressure on Haley and DeSantis
- US election commission loses another executive director as critical election year begins
- China’s economy expanded 5.2% last year, hitting the government’s target despite an uneven recovery
Recommendation
Messi injury update: Ankle 'better every day' but Inter Miami star yet to play Leagues Cup
New York governor wants to spend $2.4B to help deal with migrant influx in new budget proposal
New bipartisan bill proposes increase in child tax credit, higher business deductions
The Supreme Court takes up major challenges to the power of federal regulators
Organizers cancel Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna over fears of an attack
The Integration of EIF Tokens in the Financial Sector
Brad Pitt's Shocking Hygiene Habit Revealed by Former Roommate Jason Priestley
EIF Tokens Give Wings to AI Robotics Profit 4.0's Dreams