Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis have apologised for character letters the celebrity couple wrote on behalf of fellow That '70s Show actor Danny Masterson before he was sentenced for rape.
Key points:
- Kutcher and Kunis apologised on Instagram saying they had not intended to cause hurt to victims
- The celebrity couple are among 50 others who wrote support letters about Danny Masterson
- They both described Masterson as a brother figure whose stance against drugs and commitment to family was admirable
A judge in Los Angeles last week sentenced Masterson to 30 years to life in prison for raping two women in 2003.
In a video posted on Instagram, Kutcher and Kunis said they were sorry for the pain they may have caused with the letters, which were made public.
What did they say?
Kutcher said Masterson's family approached them and requested for character letters describing "the person that we knew for 25 years".
"The letters were not written to question the legitimacy of the judicial system or the validity of the jury's ruling," Kunis said.
The letters asking for leniency "were intended for the judge to read and not to undermine the testimony of the victims or re-traumatise them in any way," Kutcher added.
"We would never want to do that and we're sorry if that has taken place.
"Our heart goes out to every single person who's ever been a victim of sexual assault, sexual abuse, or rape," Kunis concluded in their message to viewers.
What did they write about Masterson?
Kutcher and Kunis were among 50 others who wrote character letters about Masterson to the judge during the sentencing process.
The letters were published online by The Hollywood Reporter and other digital publications.
Kutcher and Kunis outlined the brotherly role Masterson had played in their lives and described the nature of their relationship in their testimonies.
Kutcher wrote:
"He's taught me about being direct and confronting issues in life and relationships head-on, resolving them and moving forward.
"Not only is he a good friend to me, I've witnessed him be a good friend to others and the kind of brother others would be lucky to have."
Kunis wrote:
"Throughout our time together, Danny has proven to be an amazing friend, confidant, and, above all, an outstanding older brother figure to me.
"His caring nature and ability to offer guidance have been instrumental in my growth both personally and professionally."
They highlighted Masterson's firm stance against drugs and credited him for honing their abstinence from substance abuse.
Kutcher wrote:
"As a role model, Danny has consistently been an excellent one. I attribute not falling into the typical Hollywood life of drugs directly to Danny.
"Any time that we were to meet someone who was on drugs, or did drugs, he made it clear that that wouldn't be a good person to be friends with."
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."
They also applauded his role as a father to his nine-year-old daughter and a husband to his wife of 23 years, actor Bijou Phillips.
Kutcher wrote:
"He set a standard of being a hands-on dad.
"We have spent countless hours together with our kids and he is among few people that I would trust to be alone with my son and daughter.
"He's also a dedicated and loyal husband with an unwavering commitment to his wife."
Kunis wrote:
"Danny's role as a husband and father to his daughter has been nothing short of extraordinary.
"Witnessing his interactions with his daughter has been heartwarming and enlightening.
"As a father, he leads by example, instilling in her values that reflect integrity, compassion and respect for others."
Kutcher concluded saying he does not believe that Masterson posed "an ongoing harm to society" and leaving Masterson's daughter without a father would be "a tertiary injustice in and of itself".
On the other hand, Kunis vouched for Masterson's "exceptional character" and the "tremendous positive influence" he has had on her and the people around him.
Other cast members, Debra Jo Rupp and Kurtwood Smith – who played Kitty and Red Forman – had also submitted testimonials.
What happens now?
Masterson had reportedly watched his victims speak without any visible reaction as they testified he had drugged and raped them on separate occasions at his Hollywood Hills home.
He maintains innocence, even after he had been given an imprisonment sentence.
"I know that you're sitting here steadfast in your claims of innocence, and thus no doubt feeling victimised by a justice system that has failed you," the judge told Masterson before handing down the sentence.
"But Mr Masterson, you are not the victim here. Your actions 20 years ago took away another person's voice, and choice. One way or another you will have to come to terms with your prior actions, and their consequences."
Masterson's attorneys take his defence and plan to appeal.
After he was convicted, his lawyer Shawn Holley said, "Mr Masterson did not commit the crimes for which he was convicted.
"The errors which occurred in this case are substantial and unfortunately led to verdicts which were not supported by the evidence.
"And though we have great respect for the jury and for our system of justice, sometimes they get it wrong and that's what happened here."
AP/ABC