Danny Masterson, the former star of “That ’70s Show,” is currently imprisoned due to convictions for raping two women in 2023. He is serving a 30-year sentence in California following these convictions. A jury was unable to reach a verdict on a third rape allegation, prompting Masterson to seek a new trial.
Danny Masterson Files Petition for New Trial
Recently, Masterson filed a petition for a writ of habeas corpus in California. He blames his previous lawyer for ineffective defense strategies that led to his convictions. The petition, submitted on a Monday, claims that his legal team failed to conduct proper due diligence in his case.
Claims of Ineffective Legal Representation
Masterson’s new attorney, Eric Multhaup, asserts that the defense’s shortcomings resulted in a lack of critical witnesses and evidence. “The jury heard only half the story — the prosecution’s side,” Multhaup stated, emphasizing the need for Masterson’s perspective to be heard in a new trial.
- Lead Counsel Change: Initially, Shawn Holley served as Masterson’s lead counsel. However, she stepped away from the case, leading to Philip Cohen taking over.
- Failure to Call Witnesses: The petition alleges that Cohen did not interview potential defense witnesses. Instead, he only spoke to two individuals on a comprehensive witness list.
- Victim Testimonies: Friends of one victim stated she described her interactions with Masterson as enjoyable, while another victim reportedly had a week-long consensual relationship with him.
Concerns Over Trial Bias
The petition also raises issues of judicial bias during the trial. Masterson’s team believes that various rulings and comments from the court favored the prosecution. Additionally, the prosecution’s focus on Masterson’s affiliation with the Church of Scientology is viewed as a detrimental factor by his lawyers.
Masterson’s legal documents point out that Cohen did not provide a rebuttal to claims involving the Church of Scientology’s policies regarding reporting members to authorities. Instead, Cohen opted for a strategy that downplayed Masterson’s religious affiliation.
Next Steps for Masterson
The petition requests that the court consider the information provided and grant Masterson a new trial. This appeal can potentially address the missteps his legal team allegedly made during his earlier proceedings. Both Cohen and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office have yet to respond publicly to the claims outlined in the petition.
