California Appeals Court Upholds Danny Masterson Rape Convictions, Rejecting Fair Trial Claims

Key points

• A three-judge panel in California’s Second District Court of Appeals affirmed Masterson’s 2023 rape convictions on October 27, 2026.
• The court rejected claims that the trial judge exhibited bias against Scientology or violated the First Amendment by allowing evidence related to the church.
• Masterson is currently serving his sentence at the California Men’s Colony in San Luis Obispo and is ineligible for parole until June 2042.
• His attorneys, Cliff Gardner and Eric Multhaup, stated they will petition the California Supreme Court and pursue habeas corpus relief based on evidence they argue was improperly excluded.
• The defense claims the two women who testified against Masterson described their sexual encounters as consensual in prior conversations, a claim the appeals court did not find sufficient to overturn the verdict.

Background

Masterson, known for his role in 'That '70s Show,' was convicted in May 2023 of raping two women he met through the Church of Scientology in the early 2000s. He had previously faced a mistrial in 2022. The current appeal followed his conviction and a subsequent habeas corpus petition filed in late 2025, which alleged inadequate defense representation and anti-Scientology bias in the trial proceedings.

How outlets are covering it

The Los Angeles Times and Rolling Stone reported that the appeals court affirmed the convictions, rejecting arguments that the trial was unfair or that evidence regarding Scientology was improperly admitted. Deadline highlighted that the court specifically ruled that the admission of Scientology evidence did not violate the First Amendment and that the jury was not asked to judge the truth of Scientology doctrines. Yahoo emphasized the defense’s strong reaction, noting that attorneys Gardner and Multhaup called the ruling 'fundamentally wrong' and accused the court of ignoring 'extraordinary new evidence' that the women described the encounters as consensual. All sources agree that Masterson’s legal team intends to continue fighting the convictions through further legal channels, including the California Supreme Court.

Why it matters

The ruling solidifies Masterson’s 30-year prison sentence and closes a significant chapter in his legal battle, though his attorneys have signaled continued legal challenges. The case also underscores ongoing debates about the role of religious institutions in criminal trials and the standards for admitting evidence related to such organizations in California courts.

What to watch

Masterson’s attorneys have stated they will file a petition with the California Supreme Court and pursue habeas corpus relief based on evidence they claim was excluded from the trial. Masterson remains in custody at the California Men’s Colony, with parole eligibility set for June 2042.