Overview
- A three-judge California Court of Appeal panel issued an 89-page opinion on Tuesday that denied Danny Masterson’s direct appeal and summarily rejected a habeas petition challenging his 2023 convictions.
- The court ruled that testimony about the Church of Scientology was admissible to explain the victims’ delayed reporting and behavior and that its use did not violate the First Amendment or show judicial bias.
- The panel also rejected multiple other defense claims, including arguments about the statute of limitations, evidentiary rulings, and alleged inadequate legal representation at trial.
- Masterson remains incarcerated at California Men’s Colony and is ineligible for parole until 2042 after his 30-year-to-life sentence was affirmed.
- His lawyers say they will seek review by the California Supreme Court and pursue further habeas relief based on what they describe as new or unpresented exculpatory statements that they argue could alter the case.