Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis asked for leniency for Danny Masterson in letters to judge – National | 24CA News
The letters of assist written for Danny Masterson by former co-stars Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis have been shared with the general public, during which the couple vouched for Masterson’s “exceptional character” and pleaded for the decide’s leniency.
Kunis and Kutcher, as soon as essential characters on That ’70s Show alongside Masterson and now married, wrote the letters forward of this week’s sentencing by Judge 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 assist, asking for the decide’s leniency in Danny Masterson’s sentencing.
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During a retrial in May, 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 courtroom reporter Meghann Cuniff, in addition to by longtime Church of Scientology critic Tony Ortega.
In Kutcher’s letter, he wrote: “(Masterson) set an extraordinary standard around how you treat other people. There was an incident where we were at a pizza parlor and a belligerent man entered who is berating his girlfriend. We had never met or seen these people before, but Danny was the first person to jump to the defense of this girl. It was an incident he didn’t have to get involved in but proactively chose to because the way this man was behaving was not right.
“He has always treated people with decency, equality, and generosity.”
Kutcher continued: “While I’m aware that the judgement 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 his character is taken into consideration in sentencing.
“I do not believe he is an ongoing harm to society and having his daughter raised without a present father would a tertiary injustice in and of itself. Thank you for taking the time to read this.”
Kunis’ letter, in the meantime, contained many related phrases of reward and known as Masterson “an amazing friend, confidant, and, above all, an outstanding older brother figure to me.”
Topher Grace, Danny Masterson, Mila Kunis, Laura Prepon, Wilmer Valderrama and Ashton Kutcher of “That 70’s Show.”
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“Danny has consistently displayed a profound sense of responsibility and care for those around him. He demonstrates grace and empathy in every situation, be it within the entertainment industry or in our personal lives. His steady support and understanding presence make him a reliable source of guidance and comfort for all of us,” she wrote, earlier than concluding with: “I wholeheartedly vouch for Danny Masterson’s exceptional character and the tremendous positive influence he has had on me and the people around him. His dedication to leading a drug-free life and the genuine care he extends to others make him an outstanding role model and friend.”
Ortega additionally shared the letter of assist written by Masterson’s spouse, Bijou Phillips, who requested for the decide’s leniency for his or her daughter’s sake.
“We need him more than you can imagine,” Phillips wrote. “I know he has been convicted of serious crimes. But the man I married has only been an extraordinary husband to me and a devoted father to our daughter.”
According to stories, greater than 50 individuals wrote statements of assist to Judge Olmeda, together with That ’70s Show co-stars Debra Jo Rupp and Kurtwood Smith.
Masterson pleaded not responsible to the costs of rape in opposition to him. The retrial was known as after final 12 months’s authentic trial on the identical three counts led to a mistrial when a jury deadlocked, failing to achieve unanimous verdicts.
During the second trial this 12 months, deputy district legal professional Reinhold Mueller and his crew 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 medicine into the drinks of a longtime girlfriend and two different girls he knew via the church earlier than he raped them.
Masterson didn’t face any drug-related fees. However, 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 are not the victim here. Your actions 20 years ago took away another person’s choice and voice. Your actions 20 years ago today were criminal, and that’s why you are here,” Judge Olmedo mentioned whereas handing down Masterson’s sentence.
— With recordsdata from Global News’ Sarah Do Couto
© 2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
