Danny Masterson’s wife has sought spousal support from the convicted rapist, filed for full custody of their child and asked the court to divide their assets, according to divorce documents that show the couple had no prenuptial agreement.
Bijou Phillips, 43, filed for divorce from the That ’70s show actor, 47, in a California court on Monday, just days after he was jailed for 30 years for raping two women.
Bijou, who shares 9-year-old daughter Fianna with Masterson, is demanding spousal support from the actor and that he pay her legal fees, the filing said.
The actress, who was married to Masterson for almost 12 years, also asked to terminate “the court’s ability to grant relief” to the actor, according to documents seen by People.
Under California law, the court retains jurisdiction over the issue of spousal support, meaning Masterson can seek spousal support at any time in the future. But Bijou’s request to terminate the court’s jurisdiction would mean the convicted rapist could never seek relief if granted.
Bijou, a Scientologist along with Masterson, also requested full legal and physical custody of their daughter Fianna, as Masterson may spend the rest of his life behind bars. But the actress said she would allow their daughter to visit him in prison.
She also asked the court to divide the couple’s assets, citing that they had never signed a prenuptial agreement.
Danny Masterson’s wife (left), Bijou Phillips (right), has demanded spousal support from the convicted rapist, filed for full custody of their child and asked the court to divide their assets, according to divorce documents showing the couple had no prenuptial agreement .
Danny Masterson’s wife Bijou Phillips has filed for divorce less than two weeks after he was sentenced to 30 years to life for rape. (Pictured: The couple arrives at court together for his trial)
Father-daughter: The couple shares one child together, a nine-year-old daughter named Fianna Francis
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.
It comes after Masterson was put behind bars last week three months after he was found guilty of assaulting two women in 2003. Bijou had remained by his side throughout the trial.
Masterson had two trials. His first, six months earlier, resulted in a mistrial after another jury was hopelessly deadlocked on all three rape charges.
He was released on $3.3 million bail in both cases, but that freedom ended with his double conviction on May 31.
The actor has since been locked up in the infamous Men’s Central Jail in downtown Los Angeles.
Bijou, who had faithfully supported her husband of 12 years during his two sexual assault trials, was comforted by brother-in-law Jordan Masterson after the sentencing last week.
Her attorney Peter A. Lauzon said the case has been “unimaginably difficult on the marriage and the family.”
‘Mrs. Phillips has decided to file for divorce from her husband at this unfortunate time,” Lauzon said in a statement seen by TMZ.
‘Her priority remains her daughter.
This period has been unimaginably difficult for the marriage and the family.
‘Mr. Masterson was always there for Mrs. Phillips during the most difficult times of her life.
‘Mrs. Phillips recognizes that Mr. Masterson is a wonderful father to their daughter.”
Phillips began sobbing in court as her husband and the father of her young daughter were sentenced to 30 years in prison for the rape of two women
The pair started dating in 2004 after meeting at a poker tournament in Las Vegas, and they got engaged in 2009 before saying ‘I do’ at a wedding ceremony at a castle in Ireland in 2011.
Bijou has reportedly said that the date of their separation is yet to be determined, citing irreconcilable differences as the reason for their separation, according to freelance journalist Yashar Ali.
She has asked for spousal support and attorney fees and wants her legal name changed back to Phillips instead of Masterson.
Bijou will get custody of their daughter as expected, as Masterson may spend the rest of his life behind bars – but Ali said she will allow their daughter to visit him in prison.
Formerly a devoted wife, she accompanied Masterson to his trials in a show of solidarity with the now disgraced actor.
She seemed to believe his protestations of innocence and even sent a letter to Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Charlaine Olmedo pleading for leniency ahead of his sentencing.
In her letter, obtained by DailyMail.com, Bijou claimed Masterson was a “life-saving” partner who devoted himself to farming to support his family when the allegations surfaced about him and he lost his acting career.
Phillips wore large dark glasses at some points during the testimony to hide her emotions
New Future: Bijou must accept the prospect of raising her child alone
In May, Masterson was convicted of two of three rape charges, but the jury was hung on the third, which involved the rape of a former longtime girlfriend.
She also noted Masterson’s aversion to drugs — a general tenet of Scientology — and his apparent dedication to helping young actors escape the trappings of wealth and fame.
But after hearing the heartbreaking testimonies of his victims in court in a harrowing trial, Bijou appears to have reconsidered her marriage.
The victims, known to the court as Jane Doe #1, #2 and #3, not only focused on the disturbing details of the sexual assaults, but also described how they were intimidated and driven from their community as the Church of Scientology punished them for speaking out against the star of That 70s Show.
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.
Bijou wore large dark glasses at some points during the testimonies to hide her emotions.
Masterson didn’t respond to his sentencing, but he blew Bijou a kiss as he was escorted to the slammer.
But Bijou wept as she sat among a grim group of Scientology friends and family members in the public gallery. At one point she held a handkerchief to her face.
Phillips’ attorney Peter A. Lauzon said the case has been “unimaginably difficult on the marriage and the family.”
Masterson blew Bijou a kiss in court as he was sentenced to 30 years behind bars
A close friend told DailyMail.com at the time that Bijou felt “like she was mourning a death” as she awaited her husband’s sentencing.
“Currently Bijou is circling the drain and is filled with all emotion and no emotion at all,” they said.
“She is a shell of who she has been. She’s really trying to be strong for her daughter as she tries to figure out what life will be like for her.
“It can only be compared to a divorce or a death because she can no longer be with Danny like she can.”
