Actors Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis, who were criticized for supporting their friend Danny Masterson in the rape case, apologized to the public in a video posted on Instagram and pledged support for victims of sexual assault.

Danny Masterson was found guilty of two counts of rape last June and was sentenced Thursday by a court in Los Angeles to 30 years in prison, news.ro reports.

While awaiting sentencing, Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher sent two letters to the judge praising the actor they met on the set of That 70’s Show in the 1990s.

These letters, which have since been made public, have drawn criticism from netizens.

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Why Ashton Kutcher supports Danny Masterson

“These letters were written to be read by a judge, not to cast doubt on the victims’ testimony or further traumatize them,” Ashton Kutcher says in the video.

“It was never our intention to do this and we’re sorry if it happened,” he continued, before revealing how the letters came to be: “A few months ago Danny’s family contacted us and asked us to write the letters , in which we will make a portrait. a person we have known for 25 years. The goal was for the judge to be able to take all of this into account before sentencing.”

“They were not written to question the legitimacy of the judicial system or the verdict of the jury,” adds Mila Kunis. “Our hearts go out to all those who may have been sexually assaulted, sexually assaulted or raped.”

50 people sent letters in support of Danny Masterson

Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher, who are married with two children, are among about 50 people who sent letters to the judge in support of Danny Masterson, Variety reported. Among them are two more stars of the popular series: Debra Jo Rapp and Kurtwood Smith.

“Danny has always been a role model for me,” Ashton Kutcher wrote in his letter, according to People magazine.

“He always treated people with dignity, equality and generosity.” According to Entertainment Weekly, the “Sex Friends” star ended his letter with the hope that his “testimony will be considered at sentencing”:

“I do not believe (Danny Masterson) is a threat to society and it would be unfair for his daughter to grow up without a father,” he wrote.

Mila Kunis’ letter painted a similar picture of her former co-star: “He is a wonderful friend, confidant, and most of all, a wonderful surrogate big brother to me,” she wrote.

Danny Masterson, maximum sentence for rape

With this sentence of 30 years in prison, Danny Masterson received the maximum sentence he could face. The 47-year-old actor, a prominent member of the Church of Scientology, was sued by three women who were also followers of this religion.

All accused him of raping them at his Hollywood Hills home between 2001 and 2003. The jury acquitted two women, but could not reach a unanimous verdict on the third. At the hearing, the prosecution claimed that the actor “drugged and raped” his victims.

The case, which began in 2017 following allegations against former producer Harvey Weinstein that launched the #MeToo movement, has also raised questions about the role of the Church of Scientology. Two of the plaintiffs said the organization, which has a strong presence in Los Angeles, discouraged them from going to the police.

Danny Masterson maintains his innocence

On the other hand, Danny Masterson’s defense insisted that the plaintiffs’ version had evolved over the years and suggested that prejudice against Scientology may have motivated the suit.

At a previous trial in November, another jury refused to return a verdict because it could not reach a unanimous verdict.

Danny Masterson is married to actress Bijou Phillips, with whom he has a 9-year-old daughter. He continues to maintain his innocence and plans to appeal the verdict, CNN reports.

Following the actor’s arrest in June 2020, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced that it had dropped two more sexual harassment charges against him due to lack of evidence and the statute of limitations.