Key Takeaways:
- Danny Masterson, star of “That ’70s Show,” is seeking a new trial after being convicted of raping two women in 2023.
- In a new petition, Masterson claims his conviction was the result of an inadequate defense presented by his former lawyer.
- The actor alleges his legal team failed to present crucial witnesses and evidence that would have supported his case.
- Masterson is currently serving a 30-year prison sentence in California.
Danny Masterson Files Petition for New Trial
Danny Masterson, the actor best known for his role on “That ’70s Show,” is formally requesting a new trial, arguing that his conviction on two counts of rape was the result of a flawed legal defense. Masterson, who is currently serving a 30-year prison sentence, filed a petition for a writ of habeas corpus outlining what he describes as significant failures by his trial lawyer.
In a statement, Masterson’s new attorney, Eric Multhaup, asserted that the original trial was unfair. “The unfairness of the second Masterson trial was the result of prosecutorial misconduct, judicial bias, and the failure of defense counsel to present exculpatory evidence,” Multhaup said. “The jury heard only half the story — the prosecution’s side. Danny deserves a new trial where the jury can hear his side as well.”
Allegations of Ineffective Counsel
The petition places the blame squarely on defense attorney Philip Cohen, who took over the case after Masterson’s initial lead counsel, Shawn Holley, stepped away. Masterson claims that despite his pleas, Cohen failed to mount a proper defense during the retrial that led to his conviction.
According to the filing, Cohen allegedly neglected to interview or call critical witnesses who could have challenged the prosecution’s narrative. The petition states that friends of the victims could have testified that the women described their encounters with Masterson as consensual. However, these potential witnesses were reportedly never contacted by the defense team.
Evidence and Scientology’s Role
Masterson’s petition further alleges that Cohen was presented with this potentially exculpatory evidence by investigators but chose to ignore it, proceeding with his own strategy. The document claims that out of a comprehensive list of witnesses, Cohen only spoke to two individuals.
Additionally, the filing argues that Cohen mishandled the prosecution’s focus on Masterson’s involvement in the Church of Scientology. Prosecutors argued that the church discouraged the victims from reporting the assaults to the police. Masterson claims his lawyer should have directly rebutted these claims with a witness rather than attempting to downplay his client’s religion, which he believes alienated the jury.
The petition also cites a pattern of alleged “judicial bias” during the trial, pointing to several rulings that it claims favored the prosecution. Masterson’s legal team is now asking the court to grant an appeal based on these arguments.
Image Referance: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/danny-masterson-blames-lawyer-presenting-poor-defense-rape-trial-rcna244437