Conviction Upheld: What Is Left for Danny Masterson After Losing His Appeal
A California appeals court upheld Danny Masterson's rape convictions. What a direct appeal reviews, why the statute of limitations argument failed, and the narrow paths left: state Supreme Court review and habeas.
October 29, 2026 · 3 min read
A California appeals court on Tuesday upheld Danny Masterson's two rape convictions and his sentence of 30 years to life. His lawyers say they will ask the California Supreme Court to step in. For anyone convicted, this is the stage where the road narrows.
The ruling. A three-judge panel ruled unanimously in an 89-page decision, according to The Associated Press, via Spectrum News and Global News. USA Today, via Yahoo and City News Service, via NBC Los Angeles identify the court as California's Second District Court of Appeal.
The case. Masterson was convicted in 2023 of raping two women at his home in 2003. His first trial, in 2022, ended in a mistrial, and the retrial jury deadlocked on a third count, the AP and USA Today report. He pleaded not guilty and has maintained the encounters were consensual, according to USA Today.
What the panel rejected. The court turned down his arguments on the statute of limitations, excluded evidence and claimed bias over Scientology, the AP and Global News report. Both say the court found the 10-year limit did not apply because there were multiple victims. Variety and City News Service quote the panel finding "no animus or departure from neutrality" on Scientology.
His response. His appellate lawyers say he is serving a life sentence for crimes he did not commit, USA Today and Global News report.
What an appeal is. A direct appeal is not a new trial. It reviews the trial record for legal error. Claims that depend on facts outside that record, such as a trial lawyer's choices, go in a separate habeas petition. The panel denied that petition too, USA Today and Variety report.
Facts about Masterson's case in this post come from at least two of the outlets named, unless a single outlet is credited.
Her law firm's website explains what appellate courts will and won't do after a verdict.