statement

Danny Masterson’s Lawyer Speaks Out After Actor Is Sentenced to Prison

Originally appeared on E! Online

Danny Masterson‘s lawyer says the actor’s legal battle is not over following his jail sentence for rape, maintaining that the actor didn’t commit the crimes for which he was convicted.

On Sept. 7, the actor, who rose to fame in the ’90s playing Steven Hyde on That ’70s Show, was sentenced to 30 years to life behind bars for raping two women in 2001 and 2003 in his Hollywood Hills home. Masterson, 47, was convicted in June in a second trial, with the jury remaining deadlocked on an additional charge that he allegedly raped a third woman.

After the hearing, Shawn Holley, one of Masterson’s attorneys, said in a statement to E! News that “a team of the top appellate lawyers in the country has been reviewing the transcripts of the trial” and “have identified a number of significant evidentiary and constitutional issues which they will address in briefs to both state and federal appellate courts.”

2022’s True Crime Dramas, Ranked

More from E! Online

The attorney continued, “The errors which occurred in this case are substantial and unfortunately, led to verdicts which are not supported by the evidence. And though we have great respect for the jury in this case and for our system of justice overall, sometimes they get it wrong. And that’s what happened here.”

Masterson, Holley said, “did not commit the crimes for which he has been convicted and we—and the appellate lawyers—the best and the brightest in the country—are confident that these convictions will be overturned.”

After the Los Angeles County Superior Court’s sentencing of Masterson, Alison Anderson, a lawyer representing two accusers, said in a statement to E! News that her clients had “displayed tremendous strength and bravery” in coming forward. She added, “Despite

Read the rest

Alec Baldwin lawyer calls charges ‘terrible miscarriage of justice’

Alec Baldwin’s lawyer released a statement Thursday calling the decision to charge the actor a “terrible miscarriage of justice.”

Prosecutors announced Thursday that Baldwin will be charged with involuntary manslaughter in the fatal shooting of a cinematographer who was killed on a New Mexico movie set. Halyna Hutchins died shortly after being shot during rehearsals at a ranch on the outskirts of Santa Fe on Oct. 21, 2021.

Luke Nikas, and attorney for Baldwin, released the following statement:

“This decision distorts Halyna Hutchins’ tragic death and represents a terrible miscarriage of justice. Mr. Baldwin had no reason to believe there was a live bullet in the gun – or anywhere on the movie set. He relied on the professionals with whom he worked, who assured him the gun did not have live rounds. We will fight these charges, and we will win.”

Meanwhile, Brian Panish, who represents the Hutchins family, released a statement, saying the family supports the charges.

“It is comfort for the family that, in New Mexico, no one is above the law.”

Hutchins, a cinematographer, died shortly after being wounded by a gunshot during setup for a scene at the ranch. Baldwin was pointing a gun at Hutchins when the gun went off, killing her and wounding the director, Joel Souza.

Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza, who led the initial investigation into Hutchins’ death, described “a degree of neglect” on the film set.

The film’s armorer overseeing weapons, Hannah Gutierrez Reed, will also be charged with involuntary manslaughter in the incident, according to a statement from Santa Fe-area District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies.

The film’s first assistant director, David Halls, has agreed to plead guilty to the charge of negligent use of a deadly weapon.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Read the rest