Danny Masterson denied bail as judge says he has 'every incentive to flee' with 'no wife to go home to'
Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: There seems to be no relief for Danny Masterson as the actor was denied bail in his recent court appeal on Wednesday, January 24.
Per Deadline, the convicted rapist and ‘That ‘70s Show’ star was denied bail by Los Angeles Superior Court judge Charlaine Olmedo, who reminded Masterson that he would probably have to spend the "rest of his life" in prison.
More on Danny Masterson’s bail appeal
Denying Masterson’s bail, Judge Olmedo said on Wednesday, "If defendant’s conviction and sentence are upheld on appeal, he will likely remain in custody for decades and perhaps the rest of his life.”
Judge Olmedo also cited Masterson’s estranged wife Bijou Philips as a reason for denying the bail.
Philips shocked many of the fans when she filed for divorce from the embattled 47-year-old star just 12 days after he was convicted of rape.
Citing Philips, Olmedo propounded Masterson “has every incentive to flee,” saying, "In light of the fact that defendant has no wife to go home to, defendant now has every incentive to flee and little reason to return to state prison to serve out the remainder of his lengthy sentence should his appeal be unsuccessful.”
As Philips filed for divorce from Masterson, she was also granted the legal and physical custody of their daughter, Fianna, nine.
What are the charges against Danny Masterson?
Danny Masterson has been convicted in two counts of rape and is currently serving a 30-year to life sentence at the North Kern State Prison.
Under the Golden State statutes, he will be eligible for parole in 20 years. The jury, however, could not come to a verdict regarding the third woman.
All of the three victims were part of the Church of Scientology, an organization of which Danny Masterson was also a part. He is, however, banned from the church upon his conviction.
Recently, it has also been reported that Bijou Philips severed her ties with the Church of Scientology following Masterson’s convictions.
Danny Masterson’s lawyers filed the appeal in early January
Danny Masterson’s lawyers Clifford Gardner and Eric Multhaup filed their intention to appeal for the ‘Ranch’ actor with the Court of Appeal on January 18.
They said, “Defendant requests that this Court grant bail on appeal, and offers to comply with any relevant terms and conditions imposed by the Court that enable him to be an at-home parent and financial provider for his family, including house arrest and/or participation in an electronic monitoring program administered by the probation department.”
They also promised Masterson possessed a “lack of dangerousness,” and would not be a flight risk if allowed out of prison during the appeal process.
The lawyers said they now had “extensive exculpatory evidence that was not presented to the jury.” The said evidence is not yet revealed.
