Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis asked the judge for leniency in the sentencing of their former co-star Danny Masterson.
The three actors appeared together in That '70s Show and Kutcher and Masterson starred in the Netflix sitcom The Ranch.
On Thursday (7 September), Masterson, 47, was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison by Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Charlaine F Olmedo after being convicted of two counts of rape in May. He has always maintained his innocence.
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The disgraced actor, who is a member of the Church of Scientology, was accused of raping three women at his home in the Hollywood Hills between 2001 and 2003. Jurors reached guilty verdicts on two of the counts, but a verdict could not be reached on the third count - an allegation that Masterson also raped a longtime girlfriend.
Part of the evidence presented ahead of Masterson's sentencing involved character references, including letters written by Kutcher, 45, and Kunis, 40, who are married.
Kutcher started his letter by explaining how Masteron ‘instantly became a friend, dedicated co-worker, and role model’ when they met in 1998.
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“He’s an extraordinarily honest and intentional human being,” Kutcher added, claiming that ‘I don’t ever recall him lying to me’.
“I do not believe he is an ongoing harm to society and having his daughter raised without a present father would [be] a tertiary injustice in and of itself,” the Dude, Where’s My Car? star wrote, in his letter which was first published online by Meghann Cuniff.
Masterson and his wife Bijou Phillips have a daughter who was born in February 2014.
Fellow That 70s Show alum Kunis called Masterson ‘an amazing friend, confidant, and, above all, an outstanding older brother figure to me’.
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“Danny Masterson’s warmth, humor, and positive outlook on life have been a driving force in shaping my character and the way I approach life’s challenges,” Kunis wrote. “His unwavering commitment to being an exceptional older brother figure to me has had a transformative impact on my life, instilling in me a sense of self-belief and encouraging me to aim for greatness, but all while maintaining a sense of humility.”
Masterson’s lawyers submitted the letters with their recommendation that the judge sentence Masterson to concurrent sentences for each rape conviction. Had the judge followed through on this request, Masterson would have been handed a 15-year conviction instead of 30 however the judge made it clear she believes Masterson is guilty.
“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 were criminal, and that’s why you are here,” Judge Olmedo said.
UNILAD previously contacted both Kunis and Kutcher's reps for comment.
Topics: Ashton Kutcher, Celebrity, Film and TV, Crime