Danny Masterson is taking steps to ensure his estranged wife Bijou Phillips and their daughter Fianna are ‘protected’ as he finally faces the ‘reality’ of spending the rest of his life in prison for raping two women , according to insiders.
The That ’70s Show star, 47, was convicted of the crimes last month, just days before his wife of 12 years filed for divorce on September 18.
The convicted rapist, who was expelled from the Church of Scientology after his conviction, has since agreed to give his ex, 43, both legal and physical custody of their nine-year-old daughter.
Now the actor has ensured that “everything is done in the overall interest of their daughter,” according to insiders, who claim he agrees he should spend the rest of his life behind bars.
“When it comes to Danny and Bijou’s divorce, everything is being done for the greater good of their daughter,” a source exclusively told DailyMail.com. “Bijou still has enormous respect for Danny as a father and is happy that they have agreed to give her full custody.”
Convicted rapist Danny Masterson ensures his estranged wife Bijou Phillips and their daughter Fianna are ‘protected’ while he is in prison (photo 2016)
The disgraced actor has agreed to give his estranged wife both legal and physical custody of the couple’s daughter as he serves a 30-year prison sentence for rape
Revealing the actor’s current state of mind in the weeks since he was convicted, the insider continued: ‘For Danny, he continues to believe he is completely innocent, but he also realizes that reality is seeping in, and he will likely spend the rest of his life spend life in prison. It is a painful ordeal for everyone. But this is their new reality.”
The source added: “Danny is making sure Bijou and his daughter are fully protected as he goes through everything he will continue to experience in court.
“Despite all these adversities, they work together to make good what they can.”
As for how Phillips, who was recently pictured without her wedding ring, plans to move forward, the source explained that the former socialite is focused on finding the “positives.”
“Bijou will live the rest of her life for her daughter, she is completely committed to protecting her in every aspect imaginable,” the insider said.
“She turns the stress of Masterson’s punishment into everything positive that can come from it.”
In legal documents obtained by TMZit was revealed that Masterson has requested a visit to his daughter – which, if granted, will be under prison supervision.
Masterson also listed the couple’s date of separation as September 15 – a week after he was sentenced to 30 years to life for assaulting two women in 2003.
The actor was convicted last month of raping two women in 2003, and just days later Phillips filed for divorce (pictured in 2015)
Sources have since revealed to DailyMail.com that the actor ensures ‘everything is done in the overall interest of their daughter’
Phillips looked tense on Tuesday, as she was pictured for the first time since her estranged husband was kicked out of Scientology and declared a “suppressive person.”
The former socialite was pictured pushing her cart, which contained a number of brown shopping bags
Phillips was pictured running errands with a friend in Santa Ynez, California, on Tuesday, marking the first time she has stepped out since her estranged husband was kicked out of Scientology and declared a “suppressive person.”
The label – defined by the church as someone whose behavior seeks to hinder the spiritual progress of those around him – means fellow Scientologists, including his wife and family, will have to sever all ties with him.
Phillips’ split from Masterson came as a surprise to some, as she had remained by his side throughout the trial – which came six months after another jury was hopelessly deadlocked on all three rape charges, leading to a mistrial.
Masterson was released on $3.3 million bail in both cases, but that freedom ended with his double conviction on May 31, during which he was incarcerated in the infamous Men’s Central Jail in downtown Los Angeles.
His victims, known to the court as Jane Doe #1, #2 and #3, shared disturbing details of the sexual assaults and described how they were intimidated and driven from their community when the Church of Scientology punished them for speaking out against the Ranch -star.
While Masterton was convicted of raping the first two, the jury was deadlocked on a third charge of raping Jane Doe #3, his ex-girlfriend Chrissie Carnell-Bixler.
Elsewhere, a source previously opened up about Phillip’s reasons for deciding to file for divorce when she did, stating: ‘A few reasons why she filed for divorce are twofold.
In legal documents obtained by TMZ, it was revealed that Masterson has requested visitation with his daughter – who will be under prison supervision if allowed
“Recently, friends and family told her that she should become a mother first and consider divorce because it really shows her daughter that ultimately people should be held accountable for what they do, even if it’s someone they love.
‘Bijou also does it to protect her assets and her future.
“She doesn’t want to lose money, land and housing because of a future civil lawsuit against Danny. She wants to protect her future and that is a big reason why she has pursued a divorce.”
The source continued: ‘Bijou will never say anything negative about Danny’s parenting skills, he is incredible in that area.
“Bijou loves Danny, always will, and truly hopes that his sentence is ultimately reduced and/or overturned.”
The pair started dating in 2004 after meeting at a poker tournament in Las Vegas, and got engaged in 2009 before saying “I do” at a castle in Ireland in 2011.
Phillips has asked the court to divide the couple’s assets during their divorce, indicating they never signed a prenuptial agreement.