'That ’70s Show' star Danny Masterson loses rape conviction appeal

Danny Masterson, known for his role in 'That ’70s Show,' has lost his appeal against rape convictions. A California appeals court has officially upheld the convictions, meaning the previous legal rulings against the actor remain in place. This development ensures that the original verdicts stand as the appeals court found no grounds to reverse the decision. Extensive coverage of the ruling has been provided by a variety of news outlets, including the Los Angeles Times, ABC7 Los Angeles, and Deadline. Reporting from Deadline specifically notes that the appeal included arguments regarding Scientology in trial, which the court ultimately rejected.

Rolling Stone reports that while the appeal was unsuccessful, Masterson has vowed to continue his legal struggle. Additionally, Yahoo has highlighted the reaction of Masterson’s legal representation, describing the lawyers as going nuclear following what the outlet characterized as a crushing court defeat. This legal process is significant due to the high-profile nature of the actor and the specific nature of the charges involved. The case has drawn attention not only because of Masterson's television fame but also due to the intersection of the trial with the Church of Scientology, as mentioned in the coverage from Deadline. The rejection of the appeal indicates that the appellate court did not find sufficient error in the original trial to warrant a reversal of the rape convictions, maintaining the legal status quo for the actor.

Looking forward, the primary focus will be on the next stage of the legal process. According to Rolling Stone, Danny Masterson intends to take his fight to the State Supreme Court. The legal community and the public will be watching to see if the State Supreme Court accepts the case for review. Until such a time as a higher court rules otherwise, the convictions upheld by the California appeals court remain effective, and the legal team's strategy for the Supreme Court will be the next critical development in this ongoing matter.