Danny Masterson faced a retrial on three counts of rape this past spring. In late May, he was convicted of two out of three counts, and last week was his sentencing hearing. Notably, Masterson did not speak in his own defense in his trial, nor at his sentencing. Instead, he asked his colleagues and friends to write letters of support to the court. Many of his former costars did just that, including Masterson’s old That ‘70s Show costars Debra Jo Rupp, Kurtwood Smith, Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis. Ashton and Mila’s letters are getting the most attention because they were the most high-profile people to support Masterson, and because Ashton supposedly cares so much about human trafficking and abuse, just not when his bro is doing all of the raping.
Kutcher and Kunis wrote letters in an effort to urge the judge for a lesser sentencing. In Kutcher’s letter, he referred to Masterson as a “role model.” In Kunis’ letter, she vouched for Masterson’s “exceptional character” and referred to him as an “outstanding older brother figure.”
Other stars from “The 70’s Show” who wrote to the judge include Debra Jo Rupp, who played Kitty on the sitcom, and Kurtwood Smith, who played Red. Masterson’s famous family members wrote letters in his support, including his siblings Alanna Masterson (“The Walking Dead”), Christopher Masterson (“Malcolm In the Middle”), Jordan Masterson (“Last Man Standing”), as well as his brother-in-law Billy Baldwin and his wife, the actor and model, Bijou Phillips. Other Hollywood names who wrote to the judge include actor Giovanni Ribisi; Jim Patterson, creator of Netflix’s “The Ranch;” Masterson’s former publicist, Jenni Weinman; and TV director, David Trainer, who worked on “The 70’s Show” and “The Ranch.”
In Kutcher’s letter, he writes: “While I’m aware that the judgement has been cast as guilty on two counts of rape by force and the victims have a great desire for justice, I hope that my testament to his character is taken into consideration in sentencing. I do not believe he is an ongoing harm to society and having his daughter raised without a present father would [be] a tertiary injustice in and of itself. Thank you for taking the time to read this.”
Kunis’ letter adds: “I wholeheartedly vouch for Danny Masterson’s exceptional character and the tremendous positive influence he has had on me and the people around him. His dedication to leading a drug-free life and the genuine care he extends to others make him an outstanding role model and friend.”
Both Kutcher and Kunis wrote about Masterson’s drug-free lifestyle, and noted he was a positive force on their lives. During the trial, prosecutors said Masterson drugged women before sexually assaulting them.
“One of the most remarkable aspects of Danny’s character is his unwavering commitment to discouraging the use of drugs. His influence on my in this regard has been invaluable,” Kunis wrote. “In an industry where the pressures and temptations of substance use can be overwhelming, Danny played a pivotal role in guiding me away from such destructive paths. His dedication to avoiding all substances has inspired not only me but also countless others in our circle. Danny’s steadfastness in promoting a drug-free lifestyle has been a guiding light in my journey through the entertainment world and has helped me prioritize my well-being and focus on make responsible choices.”
I’m including a tweet with Ashton’s letter below – it’s wild that he writes “he is among the few people that I would trust to be alone with my son and daughter.” Not to get too nitpicky, but Masterson was not convicted of child abuse, he was accused and convicted of raping multiple adult women. As for Mila raving about Masterson’s anti-drug lifestyle, Masterson was also credibly accused of drugging several of his victims before he raped them.
So, yeah – Ashton and Mila f–king suck. I’ve known that for many years, especially about Ashton (who still has me blocked on social media because I’ve repeatedly called him a racist and a cheater). Mila and Ashton have shown everybody who they are for years. There’s a theory brewing that Masterson basically threatened them with exposure if they didn’t publicly support him though – as in, Masterson knows so many of Ashton’s dirty little secrets, it would be mutually assured destruction if Masterson was ever feeling chatty.
Ashton Kutcher’s full letter to the judge handling the sentencing of Danny Masterson. pic.twitter.com/QijOIgRsYA
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) September 8, 2023
After a day and a half of backlash, Ashton and Mila made this statement.
LOCK THEM UP pic.twitter.com/3dBNOdoMBC
— Meech (@MediumSizeMeech) September 9, 2023
This is from one of Masterson’s victims. The 2001 date she references is the day Ashton’s girlfriend Ashley Ellerin was murdered.
oh they really fucked up pic.twitter.com/3hTYTTEcml
— Sarah McGonagall (@gothspiderbitch) September 9, 2023
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red.
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- WESTWOOD, LOS ANGELES, CA, USA – MARCH 10: Actress Mila Kunis wearing David Koma arrives at the Los Angeles Premiere Of Paramount Animation and Nickelodeon Movies’ ‘Wonder Park’ held at the Regency Village Theatre on March 10, 2019 in Westwood, Los Angeles, California, United States.,Image: 531581369, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: WORLD RIGHTS – Fee Payable Upon Reproduction – For queries contact Avalon.red – sales@avalon.red London: +44 (0) 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles: +1 (310) 822 0419 Berlin: +49 (0) 30 76 212 251 Madrid: +34 91 533 4289 – Fee Payable Upon Reproduction – For queries contact Avalon.red – sales@avalon.red London: +44 (0) 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles: +1 (310) 822 0419 Berlin: +49 (0) 30 76 212 251 Madrid: +34 91 533 4289, Model Release: no, Credit line: Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency / Xavier Collin / Avalon
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- 160629, Danny Masterson at the Canon Appreciation Reception Celebrating 20 Years Of Sponsorship in the Bellagio Hotel and Casino. Las Vegas, Nevada – Friday January 6, 2017. Photograph: Ã?© , PacificCoastNews. Los Angeles Office (PCN): +1 310.822.0419 UK Office (Photoshot): +44 (0) 20 7421 6000 sales@pacificcoastnews.com FEE MUST BE AGREED PRIOR TO USAGE,Image: 532833453, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: WORLD RIGHTS, DIRECT SALES ONLY UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE IN CAPTION – Fee Payable Upon Reproduction – For queries contact Avalon.red – sales@avalon.red London: +44 (0) 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles: +1 (310) 822 0419 Berlin: +49 (0) 30 76 212 251 Madrid: +34 91 533 4289, Model Release: no, Credit line: CPA, PacificCoastNews / Avalon
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- 160629, Danny Masterson at the Canon Appreciation Reception Celebrating 20 Years Of Sponsorship in the Bellagio Hotel and Casino. Las Vegas, Nevada – Friday January 6, 2017. Photograph: Ã?© , PacificCoastNews. Los Angeles Office (PCN): +1 310.822.0419 UK Office (Photoshot): +44 (0) 20 7421 6000 sales@pacificcoastnews.com FEE MUST BE AGREED PRIOR TO USAGE,Image: 532833485, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: WORLD RIGHTS, DIRECT SALES ONLY UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE IN CAPTION – Fee Payable Upon Reproduction – For queries contact Avalon.red – sales@avalon.red London: +44 (0) 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles: +1 (310) 822 0419 Berlin: +49 (0) 30 76 212 251 Madrid: +34 91 533 4289, Model Release: no, Credit line: CPA, PacificCoastNews / Avalon
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- LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 02: Ashton Kutcher attends the world premiere of Netflix’s “Your Place Or Mine” at Regency Village Theatre on February 02, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.,Image: 753821219, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Pictured: Ashton Kutcher, Credit line: Jeffrey Mayer / Avalon
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- Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis attends the 9th Annual Breakthrough Prize Ceremony at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on April 15, 2023 in Los Angeles, California,Image: 769769174, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Pictured: Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis, Credit line: – / JPI Studios / Avalon
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- LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, USA – APRIL 15: Ashton Kutcher and wife Mila Kunis arrive at the 9th Annual Breakthrough Prize Ceremony held at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on April 15, 2023 in Los Angeles, California, United States.,Image: 769801740, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Pictured: Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis, Credit line: Xavier Collin / Image Press Agency / Avalon
Hmmm… a rapist with exceptional character. These two morons don’t have the good sense god gave them. Writing an exceptional letter of character for a convicted rapist who they say needs to be shown mercy. Mercy for a rapist. You two have sunk to the lowest of the low.
FAFO. I doubt that when these two supported their rapist, sexual-abuser friend of a quarter century, they considered whether this letter would be publicized for everyone to read. They’re definitely the lowest of the low, but if this letter hadn’t been made public, they would have benefited: a public image of helping victims of abuse and the private support of Scientologists in Hollywood.
Thank you also to Meech for that “we apologize IF…” video.
I hope that these two and everyone else who supported a violent rapist pays for that support!
These two deserve each other. Just because their experiences may be different from those of other people,
doesn’t invalidate those who have been harmed and mistreated by that person. We all don’t have the same experiences, wild that they tried to minimize the guilty verdict.
As I read this article, I thought the family is grasping for ANYTHING to get the sentence reduced – like having character letter written. BUT you stated it so very well: Just because their experiences may be different from those of other people, doesn’t invalidate those who have been harmed and mistreated by that person.
Also, as @Harla A Brazen Hussy said below, yeah Mina sounds irritated and pissed has to explain herself. Taking accountability for her actions and THIS is how she comes across??? Just wow.
My issue is calling that rapist “extraordinarily honest.” That directly insinuates that his victims lied about what he did. Ashton and Mila are disgusting. Are they becoming scientologists or hoping from work from those connections? I definitely would never, ever watch a thing that they are in. They are victim-bashing and trying to pretend it’s something else.
apparently Ashton cant afford spell check. everything we know about him, I wonder if this org of theirs is a front for access. and they look so gross in the video like they really dont bathe do they?
their clique hated Topher Grace, he must be a nice guy
Absolutely! And his wife is an incredible activist and she went and got her masters in social work to fight the good fight.
I love Topher. He was wonderful in Traffic. I think, like most actors & actresses, they know the rapist as a “peer.” He wouldn’t show this side to a peer. Only to those he feels are less than him. This is why there are always stars coming to stars defense. Remember when Wesley Snipes was going to jail over taxes (way less of a crime but still the one that gets most everyone ) Denzel et al came to his defense about what an upstanding and righteous person he was, except he was a tax cheat. However, a lot of people who worked with him on sets (the lesser thans or the us’s as Harvey Milk used to say) had stories of sexual abuse, obnoxious behavior and so on.
And Scientology comes into play as well, the women were members of the sea org and the Tom Cruises & celebrity members have been taught to use those people as they see fit. In the end, I think 30 years was too light. I know that Mila & Ashton have issued apologies but you don’t get to do that here. Sorry.
How is this sea org thing legal in the modern world??
I have no idea. These are the people who sign “million year contracts” to basically be a slave. The story on Cruise is that the Sea Org are his servants at his homes and are paid 50 cents an hour if they are paid at all. Leah Remini & Mike Render explained it on an episode of their show. Its why Tom’s kindly put on, hail fellow well met persona is so obnoxious. He is a tiny tyrant who truly believes he is better than others & people are here to his bidding….add this rapist into that category
I went through all the letters last night (there are 47), and I actually believe TV writer/producer Jim Patterson ghostwrote Ashton’s letter for him. The exact same typos appear in Patterson’s own letter, and I also happen to know that *many* TV writers eschew conventional trivialities like capitalization and punctuation. (editing to add: OR, years of reading Patterson’s scripts on Two and a Half Men and The Ranch has changed how Ashton writes. That’s equally plausible I guess)
Wow! Mika’s’ part was exceptional bad, she sounded as though she was scolding people for taking issue with her support of Masterson. You can tell she is pissed at having to do this, at having people question her integrity, well dear it’s going to get worse, you 2 really f-ed up and have shown your true selves.
Yeah that video was so bad. It just made it so much worse. And Mila really did seem pissed. Did they even watch it before they posted it? Bc they should’ve done some retakes to at least try and come off better. Maybe it just wasn’t possible.
Maybe this is one of the retakes. These people are absolutely trash.
I can’t get over how insincere, gross, and uneducated these two are. Their letters are a part of a larger network of misgyny to discredit, shame, and gaslight victims of sexual violence and sexism. And guess what, fuckers? No one cares about your intent with the letters—sexism and harm occurs with or without intent. Also, even serial killers do acts of good but that does not make them beyond reproach or rebuke. A& M are gross, and I hope no one supports their future endeavors.
her anger is palpable. she looks like she is about to strangle whoever is off-camera for making them apologize and us for being appalled by what they wrote.
She did look super pissed.
As stated in the article “There’s a theory brewing that Masterson basically threatened them with exposure if they didn’t publicly support him though – as in, Masterson knows so many of Ashton’s dirty little secrets, it would be mutually assured destruction if Masterson was ever feeling chatty.”
It makes me wonder if maybe THAT is why she looks so pissed, were they coerced into writing these letters to protect Ashton’s secrets? And now the letters were released and they look like complete assholes? (I realize this is a bit out there as far as theories go. But it would explain why she looks so angry in the video. Though I suppose a more logical explanation is that she feels entitled to write her shitty letters supporting a rapist and is just mad that anyone dared to question it)
“Over our 25 year relationship, I don’t recall him ever lying to me”. This was written AFTER his conviction for multiple rapes he’s lied about for decades. Bro, you are SO DUMB.
His/their foundation must be FURIOUS. Way to wreck the credibility of an organisation for any legitimate victim advocacy, having a prominent rape apologist as figurehead. Shame on both of them for real.
Are we sure they aren’t closet Scientologists?
Apparently people have been calling out Ashton foundation for years for being sketchy. If you have time and go down the TikTok rabbit hole, people in the comments have given links and more. I’ve also seen videos of women saying how sketchy it is.
Ashton is dumber than a bag of hair. And that’s his way of saying he doesn’t believe Danny’s victims. He’s trash.
@Lorelai “dumber than a bag of hair” bah hah hah hah 😆
Kutcher has been a hardcore Kabbalah guy for years. Mila was never religious but started going to Jewish/Kabbalah events after getting together with Ashton.
No idea what they are now
Meanwhile people are also coming to the realization that Topher Grace might have been unfairly maligned for not wanting to join a cult of adulation for a rapist. For years people thought he was a jerk because he didn’t hang out with his castmates and then he left the show. Gosh, maybe he just got tired of having to deal with such grossness every day.
Topher was not an LA douche scenester like Ash, Wil and Danny.
Another notable exception her is Laura Pepron who dates Danny’s brother Chris. She has since left the church. Most of the people who wrote letters like Giovanni Ribsi are still in it.
I didn’t realize she had left the church. I recall some controversy regarding her steamy sex scenes in OITNB in light of CO$ being anti-LGBT bigots.
Laura attacked and attempted to silence one of the victims. She doesn’t get a pass for finally leaving the cult. My understanding is that Topher was consistently bullied and sidelined by the rest of the cast. He (and his wife, who came out swinging in support of Danny’s victims) are the only decent humans from the horrible show.
Sorry multiple type-os. I meant to say she dated (past tense) Chris Masterson and yes she has stated in interviews that she doesn’t practice anymore. She probably knows some shit about that family.
@Kath Whoa I forgot about that, but you are correct. I think that was with Danny’s long time girlfriend Chrissy Carnell who is now married to the singer of At the Drive-in
Chrissy Carnell is ChrissyBixler, the person who posted the tweet about secrets for both Ashton and Mila. Oy.
Mila had the temerity to be outraged about Will Smith slapping Chris Rock and then write a letter of support for a convicted rapist. They’re just terrible people.
Mmmm hmmm. Interesting because Chris has a history of sexual assault in his past. Trash.
Great point! Honestly, what absolutely evil human beings.
Is that tweet accusing Ashton of murdering his girlfriend?
That’s what it sounded like to me.
There was a former scientologist who said that Ashton found her girlfriend dead and called Danny for help instead of the police. The rumour is that he was afraid that he will be accused of it. He told the police, he thought the blood he saw was wine spilled and that’s why he didn’t call the police and reported it. I think, she is saying the same thing especially because if he murdered her girlfriend, she would report to the police now instead of tweeting about it.
Wow, that was definitely what I took from it.
Can we talk about this??
The story is really sad, actually, and most of the details are in the public record. Ashton Kutcher was picking up Ashley Ellerin for a date. Ellerin was known to have had a stalker, and this stalker brutally murdered her at some point before her date. (According to a blind item, Ashton was also late picking her up.)
Later, Kutcher would testify that, when he arrived to pick her up, Ellerin didn’t answer the door, and Kutcher went home. (He also testified that “spilled wine” was visible through the window.) Then he added that, when he’d “heard” she’d been murdered, he “freaked out” because his handprint was on her front door knob. That last statement is definitely true. According to blind items, Kutcher in fact walked right in, saw her body, and panicked because of his handprint on the door. Instead of reporting the murder, he got on the phone with someone, and then he pretty much fled the scene. (I believe I read that Ellerin’s body was discovered the next day.) Masterson’s ex is saying that Kutcher in fact phoned Masterson for advice. It’s honestly similar to what happened when Mary-Kate Olsen discovered the body of Heath Ledger: supposedly, she got on the phone with management instead of phoning for an ambulance.
Now, I have tremendous empathy for someone unexpectedly encountering the body of a friend or loved one; I can’t imagine that trauma. However, the behavior that followed does speak to a pattern of young men being more concerned about their own well-being, and helping cover for one another, than being concerned for the young women who are actually in trouble. More than once, others have insinuated that if Kutcher had been truthful with police from the beginning, the serial killer who murdered Ellerin might not have subsequently murdered another woman. I don’t see how that would have helped, to be honest… unless Kutcher actually tampered with the crime scene. That’s a pretty huge claim to make, and I don’t care to speculate further, but if that IS what happened, Kutcher has a whole lot to live with.
tl;dr – no, Ashton Kutcher did not kill anybody, but in all likelihood he did flee a gruesome crime scene without reporting it, and he probably did so on someone else’s counsel. Masterson’s ex is saying Danny Masterson gave him that extremely poor advice.
The video is presenting “evidence” that if Ashton spoke up with what he saw then other women would not have been murdered.
@BettyRose, right?! THAT was the takeaway for me, too. WTAF
I shouldn’t have to keep saying this, but just because someone didn’t rape YOU doesn’t mean they wouldn’t rape anyone else. Side question: Did something happen on the set of That 70’s Show to turn all the acors who played the teens into such terrible human beings? Or is this just a huge coincidence?
After reading all of this, I am very grateful and relieved that I never watched that show. It sounds like a toxic waste dump which is now poisoning everyone who ever got near it. My God!
Me too. What a culture of toxicity, patriarchy, and self-hate. Sounds like they took the demented lessons of 1970s American society and took them to heart, incorporating them into practice. F them kids. Ashton and Mila are trash and anyone who supports them moving forward, knowing what they know now, is too.
Right? What a dreadful group of people! Topher is the only decent person in the lot! I never liked Ashton or Mila but now Uugh they are vile
Word, to all of this.
Whoa whoa whoa, back up again to that last tweet here: it looks like one of the victims is insinuating that Ashton knew more about his girlfriend’s 2001 murder than he let on?? And that Danny did something horrible either to or in front of Mila in Toronto?? Am I reading this right??!
Just going off of what I read on a Reddit conspiracy theory post – allegedly upon finding her his first call was not 911 but to Masterson
This is a tweet by the Chrissie I referenced above thread. It sounds like Danny did something inappropriate with Mila. She was so much younger than the rest of the cast.
From Reddit thread:
“ Essentially saying that many people within Scientology knew that Ashton actually found Ashley’s body and instead of calling the police he called ‘his people’ and Danny, all of which told him to leave the scene and not report it.”
You are NOT reading that wrong. Holy crap.
She is not playing.
Recife murder maybe he doesn’t “know” anything, perhaps he was just callous and gross.
Ashton exes speak in a somewhat coded way about what a jerk he was to them.
Counter point (kind of) I do believe when someone you love it revealed as a monster there is a process to get to the truth on it/ I would understand not believing the accusations at first – as it’s hard to reconcile a person you love as a monster.
But this reads more like- well he didn’t rape me/my daughter – so, we’re cool. Those victims don’t really matter.
-and that really is chilling.
You’re so right Kaiser, they have been showing us who they are for years! They are terrible people. No moral compass whatsoever. Judge, please overlook these rapes as his daughter needs her father around! Masterson isn’t a danger to society? He’s a SERIAL RAPIST. GTFOH.
I am so disgusted. The letter is vile and beyond their pale, and so is their disingenuous half assed “apology.” Complete a-holes. They never counted on that letter being released to the public.
I am not sure whether that tweet references the murder of Ashton’s girlfriend back in 2001 (it sounds like it does). Looks like the police need to question him again on it. There’s no statute of limitations on murder. I bet Masterson starts singing like a canary.
FAFO is about to hit these a-holes like a ton of bricks.
I should add I understand someone else was convicted of this crime. But my question is why the eff would you call Masterson discovering a body rather than call 911? That makes absolutely no sense. Sounds like he may have lied to the police about what he saw and when. I think the police need to re-interview him and anyone else who may have knowledge about that conversation.
@SideEye It’s because in Hollywood image is everything. Also, men in Hollywood are brainwashed into believing women will lie to get them in trouble and/or extort money from them. So many men in Hollywood are gross, terrible people in private and they feel entitled to women’s bodies in whatever way the men want.
BUT they know the ethics and legal ramifications so they have an entire network of fellow assholes and predators to help keep stories out of the public eye. Can’t let “some crazy bitch” detail their image and affect their paychecks, amirite?
This is literally the mentality of “never get caught with a live boy or a dead girl” that is joked about in Hollywood.
Court: Danny raped two women.
Ashton & Mila: But, what about all the people he didn’t rape?
This is how dumb people sound when they say nice things about abusive people / predators. He isn’t punished for the nice things he did, but for the bad things. So, I don’t understand how you are gonna seriously believe that just because he didn’t do those things to you, he deserves lesser punishment.
Would they write the same things if he was convicted for murder, how he was nice to them and didn’t try to murder them or their children? I see this type of defense only for domestic abusers and rapists, whose victims are usually women and children. I am happy that now the public puts pressure on abuser’s apologists as well.
It’s even worse. It’s like they’re proud of him for not raping their kids. The couple that stood against sex trafficking is proud of their friend who just got sentenced to 30 years, because he didn’t rape their kids.
So, Mila and Ashton get that being a pedophile is different from being a rapist, but they are just glad none of their people were raped.
Speaking from personal experience, family members and friends of murderers do the exact same thing. It’s horrific, but very common. Thankfully though, only victims and their families are allowed to make public statements during sentencing.
For those who are unfamiliar, the killer of Ashley Ellerin was Michael Gargiulo – who was convicted of killing two women and likely was responsible for more. The story around those murders is quite involved and while Ashton Kutcher is an absolute dirtbag, there’s no fire there on this. Calling her his girlfriend is a genuine stretch. She was a lovely, social, vibrant woman who had been on a couple of dates with him – but her interactions with Gargiulo are distinct…I wanted to raise it because my heart hurts a little thinking that her own story might get scrambled through this mess. Kutcher was, relatively speaking, a side note in her story and I can only imagine what this churns back up for her family and friends.
I grew up near Clearwater and follow a lot of Scientology gossip. The Ashley Ellerin accusation is fleshed out in a YouTube channel I follow. Allegedly, Ashton showed up late for a date with Ashley. He walked in, found her murdered body, left the house, and spent the next hour calling members of his “team” from his car, including Danny Masterson and other Scientologists. They advised Ashton to just go to the party that he had planned to take Ashley to, and to later deny to the cops about discovering her body, all of which he did.
Also allegedly, Ashton’s obvious lies to the cops prevented prosecutors from charging the number one suspect because the killer’s attorneys could have thrown suspicion on Ashton, creating reasonable doubt. Ashley’s murderer subsequently killed another young woman and attempted to murder still another woman after that. There’s an argument to be made that Ashton could have helped prevent those two attacks if he had told the truth at the time.
I hope that the full story of Ashton’s inexcusable behavior becomes more widely known. He’s gotten away with this for over two decades now.
If this is what happened, Kelly McMahon, there is also a very good argument to be made that Kutcher obstructed justice. And he could have been charged.
I agree. Ashton allegedly lied to the cops in 2001, then he lied under oath in Ashley’s murderer’s trial in 2019. Even if he’s never prosecuted, his crimes should be known.
Thank you so much for laying this out. Never liked this man, not even when he was with Demi. He is terrible and Mila has shown herself to be as well. Their poor children hardly stand an unwashed chance.
Thank you so much for explaining all this! It does sound vaguely familiar now that I read the whole story; I’d forgotten about it, but am glad to be reminded just how horrible Ashton is. And he should absolutely have been charged for obstruction.
I’m not surprised that people don’t want to believe their spouse/brother/friend/colleague is a serial rapist, and that they continue to support him. But even if you truly think he’s innocent, or you don’t care that he’s guilty because he’s not raped you, surely you have the sense to weigh up the potential consequences of publicly supporting him in the face of overwhelming evidence? But if you’re prepared to accept those, and the generally stank that will be attached to you by association forever, go for it.
I’m a criminal defense attorney. I ask people to write letters for my clients too. Whether a public figure should do so is up to them but I don’t see anything wrong with the judge considering more than the criminal activity of the defendant in sentencing – and that includes the victim impact statement, which cover more than just the moment of the crime itself. There is a reason why punishments have a range, and judges should exercise their discretion to select the appropriate punishment after hearing from all concerned.
I saw a theory that A&K may have been under the impression that their letters were sealed? Ashton specifically mentions that the letters were only for the judge to see.
Perhaps that’s partially why they were so upset- because they were lied to by Danny’s lawyers?
Would love your thoughts on that idea.
A judge is not allowed to receive information from one side that is not also shared with the other side (with some rare exceptions), so if they were told that it wouldn’t be shared, that was not true.
@Slush That’s interesting and yet another reason to loathe A and M. Assuming they thought the letters would be only for the judge’s eyes (lol, wtf?), they privately went to bat for a convicted serial rapist while wanting to maintain their public identity as people trying to fight sex abuse/trafficking.
The hypocrisy is stunning. When this sort of thing happens I always think the hypocrite needs to be investigated. Maybe A and M and their organization need to be investigated.
The one jury I was on involved a 19 year old kid who was peer pressured into stealing a car and then got involved in a high speed police chase. It was a heartbreaking story and there was a real chance this kid with therapy and job skills would not be an ongoing threat to society. Not all crimes are equal. Not all criminals are sociopaths.
I get what you are saying but I have a problem with these kind of letters because they favor the wealthy and connected, and quite frankly, the true deviant who hides their evil well. What matters is the viciousness of the crime. These crimes were premeditated and violent. And he was sentenced accordingly, thank goodness. I do think there are crimes in which knowing more about the wrongdoer matters. This just isn’t one of them imo, and apparently the judge didn’t think much of the letters.
This says a great deal:
https://youtu.be/ilHC3NhFW6Q
Really shows the mentality of those dudes barf.
Wow disgusting. Ashton comes off as an idiot with rapist tendencies himself. And he sounds so stupid. He’s not funny or bright.
Great job setting a good example for your children by being rape apologists. A & M are gross & disgusting.
I follow a few celebrity/pop culture gossip subreddits and there’s A LOT coming out about Ashton.
In May 0f 2019, Ashton testified at the trial of Michael Gargiulo, dubbed “The Hollywood Ripper”. Gargiulo was accused and later convicted of murdering several young women from 2001 to 2008. On of them was a young woman named Ashley Ellerin, who was dating Ashton Kutcher at the time of her murder.
Ashton testified that on the night she was murdered, he’d arrived at Ellerin’s house later than agreed upon to pick her up for their date. He rang the door bell and even tried the door handle. He looked through the window and saw what he thought was “spilled red wine”. He said he “didn’t really think anything of it” and he “screwed up” by showing up later than expected so Ellerin must have gone out with a friend instead of waiting for him. So he left.
He also testified that when he learned Ellerin had been murdered, he “freaked out” because he’d left his fingerprints on the handle of her front door. That’s when he contacted the police.
https://amp.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/may/29/ashton-kutcher-testifies-hollywood-ripper-trial
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ashley-ellerin-ashton-kutcher-date-alleged-killer-michael-gargiulo-goes-to-trial-today-2019-05-02/
Where am I going with this? Kaiser posted a screenshot of an Instagram post from Chrissie Bixler which states she “was there” on Feb 21, 2001 when Ashton called Danny Masterson on speaker phone. For those who don’t realize, Chrissie dated Masterson in the early 2000s (including 2001) and is one of his victims. The CoS tried to intimidate her into silence by poisoning one of her dogs.
https://www.newsweek.com/scientology-danny-masterson-poison-dog-1483685
Does the date Chrissie mentioned look familiar? It should, it’s the same day Ashley Ellerin was murdered and the day Ashton went to her house for their date.
Former Scientologist Aaron Smith-Levin hosts a podcast detailing his experiences in the church called “Growing Up In Scientology”. In an episode published on February 2, 2023, he discusses Ashley’s murder and CoS’s role in covering for Kutcher.
He claims Ashton lied to the police. According to him, Ashton did not just “try the doorknob” and leave. The door was actually unlocked and Ashton entered the home. Moreso, Ellerin’s body was NOT in a position where her blood (or the “red wine”) could have been seen through the window. According to Smith-Levin, Ashton entered the house, found Ellerin’s body and freaked out.
Instead of calling the police, he was worried HE might end up as a suspect so he called various members of his “team”. Including Danny Masterson. Masterson helped him concoct the “red wine” story and the CoS used its connections in the LAPD to have Kutcher’s involvement overlooked.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flywI5RXoPE&t=287s
This tells you right here why they wrote those letters. Either they really are rape apologists and the scum of the earth, or they too have been blackmailed by Scientology into writing letters on behalf of a prominent church member because the COS knows all their dirty little secrets. Doesn’t excuse those letters, but puts them in more context.
I’m leaning toward they were blackmailed but defending a serial rapist was also not a bridge too far for them. But WTF were they thinking with that video?
@Bettyrose imho it’s a pretty good bet the video is a direct response to questions raised by Chrissie Bixley’s vaguely threatening Instagram post, which accused Kutcher of fanning and egging on toxic behavior, and Kunis of being both victim and enabler. It would explain why Kunis took a firm tone while Kutcher’s was so much more subdued and didn’t match Kunis’s energy. They’re basically saying “we’re mad/tired, too, because the judge unsealed letters we didn’t even want to write, the record shows we stand with victims, now leave us alone.” But yeah, no publicist on earth would let a pair of celebrities post that, and it’s a head-scratcher to anyone who was, like… just on social media, presumably hanging out & having a normal day, previously unbothered
Ooo I’m on Reddit too, what gossip subreddits do you like?
r/fauxmoi
r/popculturechat
The real revelation, here, is not just that Danny Masterson and, by extension, CofS, knew that Ashton discovered his girlfriend’s body and didn’t call the police immediately, although that inaction is independently reprehensible (and, as some posters here indicate, a basis for CofS blackmail). Mr. Smith-Levin appears to suggest that Ashton perjured himself when he testified about the circumstances of him discovering his girlfriend’s body, and that the DA not only knew about the perjured testimony, but failed to disclose evidence that may have impeached Ashton as a witness (in federal court, this is known as “Giglio” evidence) to the defense. I don’t know whether the 3-yr California statute of limitations on a perjury prosecution has run (or was tolled / suspended) but the prospect of a prosecution for perjury and/or obstruction of Justice, upon the DA’s discovery of Ashton’s perjured testimony, is more than enough motivation for Ashton to assist Mr. Masterson during the sentencing process, especially if Mr. Masterson could provide that information to the DA in exchange for a reduced sentence for his crimes.
@Lori, honestly, this context makes so much more sense than my heretofore-understanding of the facts did. Why even call a friend from a gruesome crime scene… unLESS that friend is actually hooked into an organization that can make all your problems “disappear”? Jeez, no wonder CoS is like “ok, lock Masterson up already” — being implicated in crime-scene cover-ups is such a bad look.
And, of course!!!, now Kutcher is unable to roll back any of his statements pertaining to his witnessing of the scene of the murder. He can admit he lied and then claim to’ve cleaned up the murder scene himself. Or he can admit he lied, and then call out the CoS for assisting. Basically, he’ll get fried for whatever CoS did, and they’ll be happy to let him. But — I’m not sure this is what you’re saying, Lori, but this is what I’m picking up from what you’re putting down — if Kutcher ever revealed he was an unreliable witness, wouldn’t that also… uh, could that not mean a convicted serial killer could in fact walk free?
Because that would be beyond the pale, if Kutcher has to cape for Masterson, and by extension, the Church, *or else overturn a rightful conviction of a serial killer*?? LORI. Is that what you’re (not) saying??
God. Sure, yeah. Just Kutcher admitting to the lie could result in… shudder. And then, in the court of public opinion, most people won’t see or even care about the link to Scientology, so now Kutcher is in huge trouble, the serial killer’s future is suddenly looking bright, and the Church is fine yet again. I don’t usually buy into conspiracy theories, but the Church of Scientology is another thing entirely. Neat! “Thanks, I hate it”
The more I hear/read about these two the more disgusted I am. The fact that Ashton was long-time friends with two of Danny’s victims and still chooses to put his support behind Danny.
Also, the fact that in their non-apology video, they made it seem like they wrote the letters before Danny was convicted and not after. The fact that they say they support the victims while asking for a reduced sentence for the victims rapist.
Ashton trafficking Foundation being called out for being sketchy for years. Ashton and Mila helped raise money for Co$, while David Miscavige disappeared, aka ( on the run ) for human trafficking involvement.
I truly do not understand these people. They raised a lot of money for COVID response charities by teaming up with NW winemaker to produce Quarantine wine with a dedicated portion of sales for the charities. They’re repeating that effort with another wine, but this time distributing portion of profits for youth organizations. They also raised a bunch of money to help destitute and homeless Ukrainians dealing with Russian war. And now they’re trying to explain their support for a convicted rapid?
People show different sides to others and character letters are the writers’ experiences with the person. Masterson could be a rapist while also being a great friend-the two aren’t mutually exclusive. Honestly, I think that it’s not really fair to attack any of those who wrote character letters for Masterson. What benefit/ulterior motif at this point would Debra Jo Ruff and Kurtwood Smith have in writing letters for him? They spent a lot of time with him years ago and seemed to genuinely like and care for him. Debra Jo Ruff’s letter in particular was enlightening. I’m not saying that Masterson isn’t a rapist and that he shouldn’t be penalized-just that he could be lovely and kind some areas of his life and a rapist in another. It appears as though he’s been a good husband and father for several years. Again, that doesn’t mean that he didn’t commit rape and shouldn’t deal with the consequences-just that people are complex and compartmentalized.
As Lyla said below This isn’t the first time he defendants predator Ashton
was against the firing of Joe Paterno who was covering up for serial child molester Jerry Sandusky .
Thank you for reminding us about AK’s support of Joe Paterno. I had forgotten about that. Joe knew good and damn well that Jerry Sandusky was raping kids, aided and abetted by his association with Penn State, and chose to do nothing.
AK’s support of DM is hardly surprising. What does horrify and surprise me is the support received by the supposed adults in the room, Kurtwood Smith and Debra Jo Rupp. Just no.
@Gabby, I had the same reaction upon seeing that Debra Jo had also written a letter. I have no idea why, but I would have expected better from her, for some reason.
The problem with sticking your neck out writing a “character reference” letter is that you’re calling attention away from the facts and circumstances of the case, and, in the case of these letters bringing in extraneous details that should have no impact on sentencing decisions. Do these letter writers actually believe judges are so naive or inexperienced that they will go against their own sentencing guidelines because a rapist’s brother/ mother/ father/ sister/ friend wasn’t raped? Or that judges are so foolish as to disregard mitigating factors and societal threats? Writing a letter might make sense if there’s been a real travesty of a trial or miscarriage of justice, but in those cases there are usually better alternatives. And AK-MK aren’t arguing that the Masterson verdicts are wrong; they’re just trying to influence the sentence, i.e. complaining about the outcome.
I read through the letters and they’re just so disgusting and infuriating to read. It’s not even like they’re saying “We’re sure he didn’t rape anyone” but “He might have raped women, but other than that, he’s a great guy!”
To say he always takes photos with fans???? What the eff does that have to do with anything?
I had an awful experience at a previous job. I’m a publicist. We signed an author client that had been accused of rape/assault by MULTIPLE women. If you type in his name and “Rapist” BUT he has never been convicted.
I brought this to the attention of the higher-ups. I said “WHY would we work with this man? This makes us all look TERRIBLE.” The higher-ups (all men!) shut me down. My direct boss actually said to me, “But what about false accusations?” and “He still sells out talks, so people don’t agree with you that it’s damaging.”
I was INCREDIBLY upset and lost all respect for my direct manager and all the other men who shut me down
The author’s book was published, and it got a review from a major publication which called out my company and said something like “Why would such a prestigious firm work with somebody with so many assault accusations as this scumbag author (not their words)?” I felt extremely “I told you so” in the moment, but nobody ever gave me any credit that they should have listened to me. It was so upsetting and I wish I had left the company immediately after that happened, but I stayed and the whole place was a trainwreck.
I’ll never forget my boss saying to me, “But what about false accusations?” I realized how my boss would react if I ever went to him and told him I was being sexually harassed at work–he likely wouldn’t believe me and would side with the man.
That sucks, Holly. It is still a powerful abuser’s world out there. I’m so sorry.
Anyone who thinks false accusations are more of a problem than rape is telling you all you need to know about them. Sadly a lot of women fall into this category, despite having been taught since childhood the burden is on girls & women to “not get raped.”
@Holly, I know you can’t name names, but I am now dying to know who this person is.
And sadly, I wasn’t surprised at all by the reactions of TPTB when you brought up the allegations.
He is somebody that has a big following in a very specific area. (Just looked him up on Twitter. He has 225,000 followers, so he’s not “famous” but has his following.)
That video was awful. I guess they were trying to keep with SAGAFRA rules and couldn’t act like they genuinely mean it.
Hahaha!
I have never liked Ashton and ever since Mila was so judgmental after the Slap (while she was saying nothing about her buddy who was charged with rape) ode disliked her. So I have enjoyed this dragging. Their non apology apology was a joke. And those letters are gross. I get writing character reference letters, but both Danny and these two refuse to acknowledge the very heinous crimes he committed. That’s my problem with what they’ve done. They don’t actually apologize to his victims or even acknowledge what they’ve been through (remember, Ashton kept Danny on the Ranch even after these allegations were out there). I think Christina Ricci’s statement is really good and addresses the problem with what Ashton and mila have done.
Regarding what Mila had to endure on the set of That 70s Show, here’s an interview with Ashton and Mila did with Rosie O’Donnell from 2002.
In the interview, it’s revealed Mila’s first kiss (both in real life and onscreen) was with Kutcher during the filming of an episode. Mila recalls she was a “14 year old little girl” and scared about the experience.
Kutcher initially attempted to reassure her. Then Danny Masterson bet Kutcher $10 to “french kiss” her during the scene.
Again, Mila was 14 and Ashton was 19. I can only imagine what occurred off camera.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FROes_Z8FEE
That video is really problematic and Rosie, et tu? Every 14 year old girl knows the intimidation of older boys and grown ass men joking about violating them (or much worse).
I’m not by any means justifying that predator behaviour but didn’t she lie about her age to get on the show?
She lied in the audition. Her age was common knowledge on set.
From what I read last night Mila true age was known by the time they started filming, so he know she was 14 when he and Danny made the bet.
I just don’t understand how she was still allowed to be on set when her age was revealed. She was a child and should not have been in that adult environment or surely been replaced.
Those three – Ashton, Danny, and Wilmer – have always been problematic. There’s also a clip going around where Danny says how hot Mila was and she says she was 14 and he jokes that that makes it even hotter. And let’s not forget Wilmer’s history of dating underage girls – Mandy Moore, Lindsay Lohan, and Demi Lovato.
These two have always been trash.
Not his first time defending a predator. Remember when he was against the firing of Joe Paterno for covering up the Jerry Sandusky sex abuse?
Anyway, Christina Ricci’s response was chef kiss.
Lyla, Thanks for mentioning Christina Ricci’s response. She understands: https://news.sky.com/story/amp/christina-ricci-appears-to-criticise-ashton-kutcher-and-mila-kunis-after-they-wrote-to-judge-during-danny-masterson-trial-12958514
The letters are available at journalist Meghann Cuniff at her Substack, http://legalaffairsandtrials.com. They are horrifying.
Kutcher’s letter, in the last paragraph, acknowledges Masterson as been “cast” as juilty of rape by force. He ends with “having his daughter raised without a present father would [be] a tertiary injusting in and of itself”— thus characterinzing Masterson’s convictions as injustices and the victims as liars.
As others have noted, there would be nothing submitted on behalf of Masterson without being vetted by Scientology.[Would you ever expect Aston Kutcher to use the word “tertiary” in a letter?] Both letters reek of Scientology.
Ted Bundy had a girlfriend who he never murdered and raped.
BTK had a family and kids he never murdered.
How is this some argument for their “character”??????
The fact that someone doesn’t perpetrate crimes against you doesn’t mean they don’t behave that way towards others. How f**king stupid are these people??
They are fully aware that Danny has victims, that he drugged without their consent, but they only care about what drugs he makes them do. They know he’s a rapist, and they don’t care cuz he won’t rape them. Welcome to the world where people only gaf about what THEY get.
I don’t know the psychology of psychopaths, but patriarchal culture promotes the belief that some women have more value than others, nearly always tied to their sexuality, so, yeah, no surprise that rapists have some women they treat with respect.
These two. There is nothing worse than being dumb, ignorant, & rich with a platform! Y’all big mad because you got caught supporting a convicted rapist, is that correct? If you support victims, you don’t write a letter of support for perpetrators, PERIOD.
Life lesson kids: good people can do bad things, bad people can do good things, & all humans know how to act to get their way/what they want. I would think as ACTORS you would understand the subtle nuances of human behavior.
“When people show you who they are, believe them” -Maya Angelou
Damn, Mila married her first sexual assailant….who got $10, maybe $20, to assault her….at 14 years old….at the bequest of his mentor, Danny Masterson. Welp…..
Wtf? Dude straight up drugged women and Mila and Ashton are talking about what a great anti drug influence he was? He was fine with drugs when used to abuse women against their will !!! These two are such idiots and so out of touch. I can’t even comprehend how stupid they are.
Spoiler: He was discouraging his friends, and himself, from taking drugs. That way he had a bigger supply to drug his victims with?
I don’t like anything about their letters, but it seems extra dumb to bring up drugs at all when they played such a role in his actual crimes. That’s just CRAZY to me.
I don’t even really have the words to express how painful it is to victims to hear others defend and praise abusers. “hE wAs FiNe tO mE, I DoN’t KnOw WhAt yOuR PRobLeM iS.”
I grew up the abused and raped scapegoat in a family system that praised, defended, and protected abusers.
There are no words.
I never realized how well-suited to each other Ashton & Mila really are. Overprivileged apologists for a convicted serial rapist and Mila annoyed with the riffraff for questioning her, ffs. That’s an interesting point about Masterson possibly scoring their public support if he’s got some nasty dirt he could dish.
Most of the people who sent character letters are the family, in laws, and fellow $cientologists. However, Billy Baldwin and Eric Balfour also sent letters.
I didn’t know anything about Eric before today (and still don’t other than I now know he’s a rape apologist) but I liked him as an actor. So this is disappointing.
Also, it’s interesting who didn’t send a letter: Chynna Phillips (Danny’s sister in law and Billy Baldwin’s wife).
https://www.scribd.com/document/670033895/Danny-Masterson-Letters
https://hotline.rainn.org/online
Wanting to share this website for anyone who may need someone to reach out to reading these stories. I’ve been reading these articles and saw a poster of the original cast. In the poster was also Lisa Robin Kelly who played Lori. I felt so sick thinking about her struggles and who else at That 70s Show need to be held accountable and felt sick. That chat at this website was helpful
You will never, ever catch me writing such a letter in support of a violent criminal. Unless I somehow have irrefutable proof that they are innocent, never ever. Don’t care who they are or how they are related to me. IIRC the Unabomber’s brother is the one who basically turned him in and likely saved countless people in doing so. Sometimes what is right needs to come before family ties and friendships.
I admit that I’m enjoying the fact that these two are finding out that endorsing a convicted rapist has consequences. That’s some progress at least.
Didi you guys check Chrissie Bixler’s instagram?. She has a lot in her stories, old interview clips and the letter that the mother of one of the victims send to David Miscavige, it’s truly horrifying.
This is fucking infuriating. I remember when Mila and Ashton were trying to be the face against sex trafficking.
Game over. You don’t get to write a letter to a judge about your friend who raped women and was convicted, and still stand for trafficked women and children.
Jesus fucking Christ. Talk about a hill to die on, this is it. Peace out, Ashton and Mila.
Remember when you cared about the war in Ukraine??? That was a better look, but now we know you are just willing to blow smoke up any ass.
Its been rumored that the letters were written with help from the scientology club, and that if they didn’t comply, their dirt would’ve come out, which is now gonna happen, anyways. Thanks backlash.
They look like they need a good scrub, with metal washcloths.
Disgusting, these 2. They need to be canceled yesterweek.
I never cared for the Kutcher but I thought Kunis was probably okay.. admittedly I don’t follow the celeb stuff all that much but I figured she was mostly alright. And I guess I vaguely thought these letters were for the trial, not a plea for reducing the sentence (idk why I thought that). I guess I could see the first one more than the other- having a friend who you think isn’t terrible before the trial is not the same as having a friend who has already been found guilty of TWO counts of rape and still writing a letter asking for a reduced sentence is just… vile. It’s vile. Philanthropist, my ASS.
I hate them both for those asshole moves. Horrible people.