# Danny Masterson Loses Appeal of Rape Conviction

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/danny-masterson-loses-appeal-of-rape-conviction/
- Published: 2026-10-27T21:08:27+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-27T21:13:41+00:00
- Original publisher: Variety
- Original article: https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/danny-masterson-loses-appeal-rape-conviction-1236932259/

## Key points

- Masterson’s convictions and 30-year sentence remain in place.
- Appeals judges rejected his challenges to the trial.
- His lawyers plan to appeal to California’s top court.

## Summary

A California appeals court has upheld Danny Masterson’s rape convictions and 30-year prison sentence, rejecting his challenges to the trial. The ruling leaves in place his 2023 conviction for raping two women at his Hollywood Hills home in 2003.

The three-judge panel rejected claims that the trial judge was biased against Scientology and that testimony about the faith violated Masterson’s First Amendment rights. It also dismissed arguments about evidence and the statute of limitations, and denied a separate petition alleging he had an inadequate defence. His lawyers say they will appeal to the California Supreme Court and pursue another habeas petition.

## Coverage

- [Variety: Danny Masterson Loses Appeal of Rape Conviction](https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/danny-masterson-loses-appeal-rape-conviction-1236932259/)
- [Deadline: Danny Masterson Fails To Get Double Rape Conviction Overturned; No Bias Against Scientology, Appeals Court Rules](https://deadline.com/2026/10/danny-masterson-rape-appeal-denied-scientology-1237206492/)

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.