Bill Cosby, television and comedic icon, has been found guilty of three counts of aggravated indecent assault for drugging and sexually assaulting Andrea Constand back 2004. Cosby, 80 years old, can face up to 10 years for each count, served consecutively. The sentencing hearing date is still to be determined.
The actor had not testified during the trial but had an slight outburst during prosecution’s request to revoke bail. The argument was that he is considered a flight risk and has a private plane to which he loudly yelled, “He doesn’t have a plane, you asshole.” Judge O’Neill ruled that Cosby should not leave his Pennsylvania home and would be fit with a tracking device.
The trial was the result of a long string of allegations against Cosby over the last several years but only Constand’s had resulted in criminal charges. Ms. Constand, a former Temple University Basketball program employee, said she visited the actor for career advice back in 04. Cosby is a significant patron of Temple and had been regarded as a distinguished alumnus. She testified during the trial that he drugged and then assaulted her at his home during this meeting. The accuser was portrayed by defense as a con artist with her reputation being called into question on numerous accounts.
Attorney Gloria Allred, who represents many of Cosby’s accusers, was ecstatic over the verdict. “We are so happy that finally we can say, women are believed. And not only on #MeToo but in a court of law where they are under oath, where they testified truthfully, where they are attacked,” Allred said. “After all is said and done, women were finally believed.”
This trial was concluded roughly a year after a previous mistrial with a deadlocked jury. The current jury deliberated for an estimated 14 hours within two days before delivering the guilty verdict.