Former television actor Danny Masterson has launched a legal bid to overturn his 2023 rape convictions, pointing the finger squarely at his own defence lawyer for what he calls a 'botched trial strategy'.
The Core of the Legal Challenge
Masterson, who is currently serving a prison sentence of 30 years to life, filed a petition for a writ of habeas corpus. In the legal documents, the 'That '70s Show' star contends that his conviction was the direct result of inadequate representation from his trial attorney, Philip Cohen.
His new appellate lawyers allege that Cohen committed a serious 'failure of due diligence'. They claim he neglected to call upon key witnesses who could have supported Masterson's case. Furthermore, the filing accuses Cohen of having a 'longstanding aversion to presenting affirmative defence evidence', which ultimately left the jury with a one-sided view of the facts.
The Scientology Element in the Case
A significant part of the prosecution's case during the retrial revolved around Masterson's affiliation with the Church of Scientology. Prosecutors successfully argued that the actor had leveraged his prominence within the controversial organisation to evade responsibility for his actions for years.
Masterson's new legal team now argues that Philip Cohen made a critical error by failing to properly challenge these claims about the Church's role. They suggest that a more robust defence could have countered the narrative that Scientology was used to intimidate victims and obstruct justice.
Celebrity Backlash and Ongoing Fallout
The case has drawn widespread public attention, not only for the severity of the crimes but also for the involvement of Masterson's high-profile friends. Shortly after his sentencing, fellow actors Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis issued public apologies for having written character reference letters to the judge on Masterson's behalf.
Their actions sparked a fierce backlash online, forcing the celebrity couple to address the controversy directly and express their regret for any pain their support may have caused the victims. This new legal filing ensures that the Danny Masterson case will remain in the public eye as the battle over his conviction continues.
