Bijou Phillipsis ending her marriage to husbandDanny Mastersonafter he was sentenced to30 years to life in prisonin his rape retrial earlier this month.
Jesse Grant/Getty; Joe Scarnici/Getty
“Ms. Phillips has decided to file for divorce from her husband during this unfortunate time. Her priority remains with her daughter,” Phillips' lawyer Peter A. Lauzon tells PEOPLE in a statement.
He continues, “This period has been unimaginably hard on the marriage and the family. Mr. Masterson was always present for Ms. Phillips during her most difficult times of her life. Ms. Phillips acknowledges that Mr. Masterson is a wonderful father to their daughter. She hopes that everyone will respect her family’s privacy in these difficult times.”
Masterson’s defense attorney Shawn Holley did not immediately return PEOPLE’s request for comment.TMZwas first to report the news.
The filing comes after Phillips was in the courtroom — alongside members of Masterson’s family — for the sentencing on Sept. 7, according toVariety. The actor, 47, was seenblowing a kiss to his wifebefore being led away to prison in a court sketch.
Danny Masterson is seen blewing a kiss to wife Bijou Phillips during his sentencing hearing on September 7, 2023.Mona Shafer Edwards / BACKGRID
Mona Shafer Edwards / BACKGRID
A jury at Los Angeles Superior Courtfound Masterson guiltyof two counts of rape in May, per theLos Angeles Times. After jurors deliberated for more than seven days, a third count of rape resulted in a hung jury, the outlet reported.
Mastersondid not register much of a reaction to the verdict, according to L.A. reporter Meghann Cuniff, who noted that his family members were “fighting back tears” and Phillips also began to cry when he was convicted.
Cuniff reported Judge Olmedo as telling her, “Can you maintain your composure? I know it’s hard. But if not I need you to step outside.”
Danny Masterson is seen arriving at court with wife Bijou Phillips on May 30, 2023.BACKGRID
BACKGRID
Holley confirmed to PEOPLE after the verdict that Masterson planned to appeal.
“She wasn’t prepared for the verdict. She never expected him to be found guilty,” the insider said. “She couldn’t believe that he was taken into custody right away and remanded.”
The source added that Phillips was “terrified about the sentencing.”
Masterson was charged in 2020 with forcibly raping three women in separate incidents between 2001 and 2003. He was released on a $3.3 million bail and laterpleaded not guiltyto all three charges in January 2021.
At the time, Masterson’s attorney Tom Mesereau issued a statement to PEOPLE that said, “Mr. Masterson is innocent, and we’re confident that he will be exonerated when all the evidence finally comes to light and witnesses have the opportunity to testify.”
“Obviously, Mr. Masterson and his wife are in complete shock considering that these nearly 20-year old allegations are suddenly resulting in charges being filed, but they and their family are comforted knowing that ultimately the truth will come out,” Mesereau continued. “The people who know Mr. Masterson know his character and know the allegations to be false.”
All of the alleged crimes occurred at Masterson’s home, prosecutors say, andall three accusers took the standto detail their allegations in May 2021 in a preliminary hearing.
Danny Masterson.Lalo Yasky/Getty
Masterson was initially tried for the allegations in late 2022, but amistrial was calledafter jurors were unable to come to a unanimous verdict. Ten of the 12 jurors wanted to find Masterson not guilty based on the evidence presented.
Many of the allegations against Masterson first surfaced in March 2017 when the LAPD’s Robbery Homicide Division confirmed an investigation was taking place into sexual assault allegations against the actor.HuffPostthen reported that November that a fourth woman had accused Masterson of raping her in the early 2000s.
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In response to the allegations, Masterson was removed from the Netflix seriesThe Ranch, which he starred in alongside his formerThat ’70s ShowcostarAshton Kutcher. United Talent Agency also cut ties with the actor.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go torainn.org.
source: people.com
