Danny Masterson’s wife Bijou Phillips files for divorce after rape conviction – The Hollywood Reporter

Bijou Phillips has filed for divorce from Danny Masterson, less than two weeks after the actor was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison for raping two women in 2003.

The filing Monday in Santa Barbara surprised many as there were a number of headlines following Masterson’s sentencing suggesting that Phillips would stand by her husband, as she had during his years-long legal battles. The couple married in 2011 and have a daughter together, who was born in 2014.

“MS. Phillips has decided to file for divorce from her husband during this unfortunate time. Her priority remains with her daughter. This period has been unimaginably hard on the marriage and the family. Mr. Masterson has always been by Ms. Phillips during the most difficult times of her life “Ms. Phillips recognizes that Mr. Masterson is a wonderful father to her daughter,” said Phillips’ attorney, Peter Lauzon The Hollywood Reporter in a statement.

Masterson was sentenced Sept. 7 to 30 years to life in prison for raping two former members of the Church of Scientology at his home in the Hollywood Hills in the early 2000s. During the trial, the women described in graphic detail violent attacks after they were served drinks that quickly left them disoriented.

Masterson – who will be eligible for parole in about 25 years, when he turns 72, has denied the allegations. Shawn Holley, an attorney representing him, said the actor would appeal the conviction on “a number of significant evidentiary and constitutional issues.”

The news was first reported by TMZ.

There’s more to come.