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Ashton Kutcher And Mila Kunis shared a video on Instagram expressing their regret for the letters they wrote in support of their former This show from the 70s co star Danny Masterson just before his conviction for sexual assault.
“We are aware of the pain caused by the character letters we wrote on behalf of Danny Masterson,” Mr. Kutcher said in the statement. video posted to his account on Saturday.
“We support the victims. We have done this historically through our work and will continue to do so in the future,” added his wife.
Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher were among 50 people who wrote letters of support for Masterson ahead of his sentencing on Thursday.
The 47-year-old star of This show from the 70s was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison for the rape of two women twenty years ago.
Mr. Kutcher explained in the video that Masterson’s family contacted them to write the characters’ letters to “represent the person we knew for 25 years.”
“The letters were not written to question the legitimacy of the justice system or the validity of the jury’s decision,” Ms. Kunis said in the video.
“They were intended to be read by the judge and not to undermine the victims’ testimony or re-traumatize them in any way,” Kutcher added.
“We would never want to do that and we’re sorry it happened.”
Ms Kunis then told her supporters: “Our hearts go out to every person who has ever been a victim of sexual assault, sexual abuse or rape. »
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Kunis and Kutcher, who married in 2015, both starred in the American sitcom with Masterson, which ran for eight seasons and 200 episodes between 1998 and 2006.
In their letters of support, released Friday by Los Angeles-based court reporter Meghann Cuniff, the couple vouched for Masterson’s “exceptional character” and pleaded for leniency from Judge Charlaine Olmedo.
Kutcher called his co-star a “role model” and “a person who is always there for you when you need him.”
“While I am aware that the judgment found him guilty of two counts of rape by force and that the victims have a great desire for justice, I hope that my testimony of his character will be taken into consideration when determining the penalty”, can we read in his letter. .
“I do not believe that he represents a permanent harm to society and that raising his daughter without a current father would be a third injustice in itself. Thank you for taking the time to read this.”
Meanwhile, in his letter, Kunis called Masterson “an incredible friend, confidant, and above all, an exceptional older brother figure to me.”
“Danny Masterson’s warmth, humor and positive outlook have been a driving force in the formation of my character and the way I approach life’s challenges,” she wrote.
“I fully vouch for the exceptional character of Danny Masterson and the enormous positive influence he had on me and the people around him. His dedication to living a drug-free life and genuine caring for others make him an exceptional role model and friend.
Masterson was initially accused of drugging and raping three women at his home between 2001 and 2003. He was convicted of raping two of the women in 2003, but the jury was unable to reach a verdict on the third November 2001 allegation, presented by a former girlfriend.
