Danny Masterson is blaming his lawyer for failing to summon key witnesses throughout his 2023 rape trial as he tries to overturn his conviction.
In response to new court docket paperwork obtained by Web page Six, the “That ’70s Present” alum claims his legal professional Philip Cohen — who took over for the actor’s former lawyer because of scheduling points — solely questioned two out of doubtless “greater than 20 potential witnesses” that might’ve spoken in his protection.
Per the submitting, Cohen allegedly didn’t try and contact the witnesses, who he claimed had given “prior statements to the police and to investigators.”
Masterson additionally alleges within the docs that Cohen selected to not refute the prosecutor’s allegations about Scientology.
Among the many allegations was that the church threatens ladies in the event that they report high-profile members to authorities.
Masterson claims within the submitting that Cohen was suggested by attorneys for the Church of Scientology to name members to battle again towards the allegations, however he allegedly failed to take action.
Per the submitting, “the jury noticed solely the tip of the iceberg of accessible protection proof within the type of the complaining witnesses’ inconsistent statements whereas the wealth of straight exculpatory proof went unused for no viable tactical cause.”
Cohen wasn’t instantly accessible to Web page Six for remark.
Masterson was arrested in June 2020 on three expenses of rape that occurred between 2001 and 2003.
Whereas the actor pleaded not responsible in January 2021, he was discovered responsible of raping two of three ladies in Might 2023.
Masterson was sentenced to 30 years to life in jail and is at the moment serving time on the California Males’s Colony facility.
In December 2024, the “Ranch” alum appealed his conviction, arguing that there have been a number of errors in his trial, which violated his “rights to confrontation and a good trial.”
Amid his ongoing authorized proceedings, Masterson’s ex Bijou Phillips filed for divorce in September 2023 shortly after his sentencing.
The actress had notably stood by Masterson’s facet all through the trial, although an insider beforehand advised People who she went via “a really troublesome time” after his conviction.
On the time, Masterson agreed to provide Phillips full custody of their daughter, Fianna Francis.
Most just lately, Phillip requested to take away his final title from the 11-year-old’s surname final month.
