Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis reportedly wrote letters in help of actor Danny Masterson throughout his rape trial, which just lately discovered him responsible on two counts of forcible rape.
Good Morning America reported that the couple have been amongst a bunch of over 50 individuals who submitted statements on behalf of Masterson forward of his sentencing on Friday.
He was sentenced to 30 years to life in jail in a retrial for raping two of the three victims he was initially charged with assaulting. The assaults reportedly occurred on separate incidents between 2001 and 2003, whereas he was nonetheless starring on That ’70s Show.
GMA reported that Kutcher referred to as Masterson a “role model,” whereas Kunis vouched for his “exceptional character.””
According to full copies of the letters obtained by journalist Tony Ortega, Kutcher wrote that Masterson “instantly” grew to become a “dedicated co worker, and role model to me” when the pair started working collectively on That ’70s Show in 1998. He additionally wrote that he attributes his “not falling into the typical Hollywood life of drugs directly to Danny.”
“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,” Kutcher’s letter acknowledged. “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.”
In her letter, Kunis wrote that she will be able to “wholeheartedly vouch” for Masterson’s “exceptional character and the tremendous positive influence he has had on me and the people around him.” She and Kutcher each highlighted Masterson’s parenting expertise; Kunis wrote that he was “an exceptional older brother figure” to her.
Actors Debra Jo Rupp and Kurtwood Smith, who starred alongside Masterson on That ’70s Show as Kitty and Red Foreman, additionally submitted letters to the choose.
Rupp’s letter stated that it was “so hard” for her to wrap her head across the two counts of forcible rape Masterson confronted, as she “always” knew him to be “respectful and kind.”
Smith additionally wrote that Masterson “treated all women on the show with respect, not only the women in the cast, but women on the crew as well.”
Niesha Trout, one of many girls Masterson was convicted of raping, offered an announcement about her expertise throughout his trial. “When you raped me, you stole from me. That’s what rape is, a theft of the spirit,” she stated, per GMA’s report.
Trout, who additionally recognized herself on X (previously generally known as Twitter) as one of many victims Masterson was charged with assaulting, appeared to have tweeted about Kutcher and Kunis’ letters.
“The letters will be leaked soon, but I want you all to know that post Danny Masterson’s conviction & after they read all of the gruesome sworn-under-oath testimony of 5 of Danny’s victims, Ashton Kutcher & Mila Kunis submitted letters to the judge asking her for leniency on Danny,” she shared on X.
ABC7 reporter Lisa Bartley additionally stated that they obtained entry to the letters despatched to Judge Charlaine Olmedo on behalf of Masterson. Bartley tweeted, “Still going through them but actors @aplusk and @MilaKunisv both speak highly of their friend, now convicted rapist @dannymasterson,” tagging the three actors’ Twitter accounts.
This just isn’t the primary time Kutcher has spoken in help of his former co-star for the reason that starting of his trial. He has remained buddies with Masterson through the years since they starred collectively in That ’70s Show. Masterson later starred reverse Kutcher within the Netflix sequence The Ranch, although he exited the present after his rape accusations got here to mild in 2017.
In February of this 12 months, simply months earlier than Masterson was discovered responsible of raping two Jane Does, Kutcher advised Esquire, “I don’t want him to elude the law, but I wish for the truth to show he’s innocent.”
He continued, “I can’t know … I’m not the judge, the jury, the DA, the victim, or the accused. I’m in no position to comment. I genuinely don’t know.”
Masterson won’t be eligible for parole till he’s 77 years previous.
This story initially appeared on Decider and is republished right here with permission.
Source: www.news.com.au
