AUSTIN, TX - MARCH 14: Founder of A-Grade Investments Guy Oseary, Actor Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis attend The Launch Of Ashton Kutcher & Guy Oseary's Sound Ventures At SXSW on March 14, 2015 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Anna Webber/Getty Images for SOUND)
Before Danny Masterson’s sentence, friends and loved ones of Masterson wrote to the court seeking leniency.
Fifty letters were written in support of Masterson, including former co-stars Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis, Debra Jo Rupp, and Kurtwood Smith, who vouched for Masterson despite his sentence on two counts of rape.
Kutcher called Masterson a “role model” and “a person that is consistently there for you when you need him.”
Kutcher says that in the 25 years he has known Masterson, “Danny has been nothing but a positive influence on me. He’s an extraordinarily honest and intentional human being.” Kutcher and Masterson have been friends for over 20 years, starting from being co-stars on That ’70s Show. Kutcher often cites their friendship in his letter to claim how “kind and courteous” Masterson is.
Kutcher acknowledged Masterson’s guilty verdict on two charges of rape.
‘While I’m aware that the judgment has been cast as guilty on two counts of rape by force and the victims have a great desire for justice. I hope that my testament to [Masterson’s] character is taken into consideration in sentencing,” Kutcher wrote.
Kunis, Kutcher’s wife, also wrote a support letter for Masterson. Like Kutcher, she cited her long friendship with Masterson to shine a positive light on his character. “Throughout our time together, Danny has proven to be an amazing friend, confidant, and an outstanding older brother figure to me,” Kunis wrote.
She continued to describe his loyalty and devotion to those close to him, calling him “a reliable source of guidance and comfort for all of [his friends and family].”
On Saturday, Kutcher and Kunis took to social media to apologize for their letters after they became public.
Debra Jo Rupp and Kurtwood Smith, known for their roles on That ’70s Show, further supported Masterson by describing his leadership on the TV show. “He has been a leader and positive force among his peers,” Smith stated.
The defense team submitted these letters hoping Judge Chrlaine Olmedo would sentence Masterson to 15 years instead of 30. The judge briefly referenced Masterson’s support letters in court on Thursday, but declined a lenient sentence and affirmed Masterson’s guilty verdict.
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“Mr. Masterson, you are not the victim here. Your actions 20 years ago took away another person’s choice and voice. Your actions 20 years ago were criminal, and that’s why you are here,” Judge Olmedo said.
Masterson was sentenced to 30 years to life on Thursday in a Los Angeles Courthouse.
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This is totally shocking to me. I love the character hyde on that 70s show. What gets me is this happened 20 years ago And they're just now prosecuting it? Isn't there a statute of limitations on this charge? I mean,Bill Cosby walked After a year and a half but Masterson get thirty freaking years, (which is the max.) Rape is a Sleazy Crime, But defendants get less time than that for murder for crying out loud..