‘That ’70s Program’ star Danny Masterson blames legal representative in battle to reverse rape conviction

Danny Masterson is blaming his legal representative for stopping working to summon essential witnesses throughout his 2023 rape trial as he attempts to reverse his conviction.

According to brand-new court files acquired by Page 6, the “That ’70s Program” alum declares his lawyer Philip Cohen– who took control of for the star’s previous legal representative due to scheduling problems– just questioned 2 out of possibly “more than 20 prospective witnesses” that might’ve spoken in his defense.

Per the filing, Cohen supposedly didn’t try to call the witnesses, who he declared had actually provided “previous declarations to the authorities and to detectives.”

Masterson likewise declares in the docs that Cohen selected not to refute the district attorney’s claims about Scientology.

Amongst the claims was that the church threatens ladies if they report prominent members to authorities.

Masterson claims in the filing that Cohen was encouraged by lawyers for the Church of Scientology to call members to eliminate back versus the claims, however he supposedly stopped working to do so.

Per the filing, “the jury saw just the idea of the iceberg of readily available defense proof in the type of the grumbling witnesses’ irregular declarations while the wealth of straight exculpatory proof went unused for no practical tactical factor.”

Cohen wasn’t right away readily available to Page 6 for remark.

Masterson was apprehended in June 2020 on 3 charges of rape that happened in between 2001 and 2003.

While the star pleaded innocent in January 2021, he was condemned of raping 2 of 3 ladies in Might 2023.

Masterson was sentenced to thirty years to life in jail and is presently serving time at the California Guys’s Nest center.

In December 2024, the “Cattle ranch” alum appealed his conviction, arguing that there were numerous mistakes in his trial, which broke his “rights to fight and a reasonable trial.”

Amidst his continuous legal procedures, Masterson’s ex Bijou Phillips applied for divorce in September 2023 quickly after his sentencing.

The starlet had actually significantly waited Masterson’s side throughout the trial, though an expert formerly informed Individuals that she went through “a really tough time” after his conviction.

At the time, Masterson accepted provide Phillips complete custody of their child, Fianna Francis.

Most just recently, Phillip asked for to eliminate his surname from the 11-year-old’s surname last month.