The letters of help written for Danny Masterson by former co-stars Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis have been shared with the general public, by which the couple vouched for Masterson’s “distinctive character” and pleaded for the choose’s leniency.
Kunis and Kutcher, as soon as foremost characters on That ’70s Present alongside Masterson and now married, wrote the letters forward of this week’s sentencing by Decide Charlaine Olmeda.
Olmeda dominated this week that Masterson will serve 30 years to life in jail for 2 counts of forcible rape.
Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis wrote letters of help, asking for the choose’s leniency in Danny Masterson’s sentencing.
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Throughout a retrial in Could, Masterson, 47, was discovered responsible on two out of three counts of rape that occurred between 2001 and 2003. Jurors couldn’t attain a unanimous verdict on the third rely, which alleged Masterson had raped a longtime girlfriend.
The letters written by Kutcher and Kunis had been printed by Los Angeles-based court docket reporter Meghann Cuniff, in addition to by longtime Church of Scientology critic Tony Ortega.
In Kutcher’s letter, he wrote: “(Masterson) set a rare customary round the way you deal with different individuals. There was an incident the place we had been at a pizza parlor and a belligerent man entered who’s berating his girlfriend. We had by no means met or seen these individuals earlier than, however Danny was the primary particular person to leap to the protection of this woman. It was an incident he didn’t should become involved in however proactively selected to as a result of the best way this man was behaving was not proper.
“He has all the time handled individuals with decency, equality, and generosity.”
Kutcher continued: “Whereas I’m conscious that the judgement has been forged as responsible on two counts of rape by drive and the victims have an incredible need for justice, I hope that my testomony to his character is considered in sentencing.
“I don’t imagine he’s an ongoing hurt to society and having his daughter raised and not using a current father would a tertiary injustice in and of itself. Thanks for taking the time to learn this.”
Kunis’ letter, in the meantime, contained many comparable phrases of reward and referred to as Masterson “an incredible good friend, confidant, and, above all, an impressive older brother determine to me.”
Topher Grace, Danny Masterson, Mila Kunis, Laura Prepon, Wilmer Valderrama and Ashton Kutcher of “That 70’s Present.”
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“Danny has persistently displayed a profound sense of accountability and look after these round him. He demonstrates grace and empathy in each state of affairs, be it throughout the leisure business or in our private lives. His regular help and understanding presence make him a dependable supply of steering and luxury for all of us,” she wrote, earlier than concluding with: “I wholeheartedly vouch for Danny Masterson’s distinctive character and the large constructive affect he has had on me and the individuals round him. His dedication to main a drug-free life and the real care he extends to others make him an impressive position mannequin and good friend.”
Ortega additionally shared the letter of help written by Masterson’s spouse, Bijou Phillips, who requested for the choose’s leniency for his or her daughter’s sake.
“We want him greater than you’ll be able to think about,” Phillips wrote. “I do know he has been convicted of significant crimes. However the man I married has solely been a rare husband to me and a faithful father to our daughter.”
In accordance with studies, greater than 50 individuals wrote statements of help to Decide Olmeda, together with That ’70s Present co-stars Debra Jo Rupp and Kurtwood Smith.
Masterson pleaded not responsible to the costs of rape towards him. The retrial was referred to as after final 12 months’s unique trial on the identical three counts resulted in a mistrial when a jury deadlocked, failing to achieve unanimous verdicts.
Through the second trial this 12 months, deputy district legal professional Reinhold Mueller and his group tried to color Masterson as a serial rapist who has been protected by high-ranking officers within the Church of Scientology. They claimed Masterson, on separate events, put medication into the drinks of a longtime girlfriend and two different ladies he knew via the church earlier than he raped them.
Masterson didn’t face any drug-related costs. Nonetheless, two of his legal professionals confronted monetary sanctions after they leaked delicate trial details about Masterson’s accusers to the Church of Scientology.
“Mr. Masterson, you aren’t the sufferer right here. Your actions 20 years in the past took away one other particular person’s alternative and voice. Your actions 20 years in the past right this moment had been prison, and that’s why you might be right here,” Decide Olmedo mentioned whereas handing down Masterson’s sentence.
— With recordsdata from International Information’ Sarah Do Couto
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