Ashton Kutcher has spoken out for the first time about the rape allegations against his friend Danny Masterson.
Masterson, who starred alongside Kutcher on “That ’70s Show” and “The Ranch,” was accused in 2020 of raping three women. With 45 years to life in prison, Masterson pleaded not guilty in 2021. A judge declared a mistrial in November and a new trial was set for March.
In an interview with Esquire published Tuesday, Kutcher said he wants Masterson “to be found not guilty of the allegations against him.” Kutcher made it clear that he didn’t want his friend to get away with murder, but to prove himself truly innocent.
“Ultimately, I can’t know,” Kutcher said of what should be the verdict in Masterson’s upcoming trial. “I am not the judge. I am not the jury. I am not the prosecutor. I am not the victim. And I’m not the defendant. And so, in this case, I have no place to comment. I just don’t know.”
Kutcher and Masterson share decades of history and have notably remained friends since the allegations.
Kutcher told Esquire that Masterson has been mentored since “That ’70s Show” became a hit when it debuted in 1998. Kutcher recalled Masterson firmly telling the young cast that success like that doesn’t come around often — and it doesn’t happen. I don’t have to.” any nonsense and condemnation.
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The two friends starred together on the Netflix series “The Ranch” until Masterson’s rape allegations were made public in 2017. While Netflix banned Masterson’s character from the show and fired him, Kutcher stayed in touch and continued to do so to this day. .
“One day his son will read about it,” Kutcher told Esquire. “I feel sorry in general for anyone who feels they have been violated in any way.”
Masterson was charged with rape by force or fear and could spend the rest of his life behind bars if convicted on all three counts. The incidents in question occurred between 2001 and 2003 with former members of the Church of Scientology, of which Masterson remains a member. Masterson denied the allegations; his lawyer said the actor engaged in consensual sexual relations with women.
A Los Angeles Superior Court judge declared a mistrial in the case in November after jurors failed to reach a unanimous decision on any of the charges after seven rounds of voting.
Masterson’s retrial was set for March 27.
Read the full interview on Esquire.
I need help? Visit RAINN’s National Online Sexual Assault Hotline OR National Sexual Violence Resource Center website.
