Bill Cosby was found guilty on three counts of aggravated indecent assault for Cosby’s 2004 sexual assault of Andrea Constand. Constnad lost consciousness shortly after being given three blue pills and a sip of wine by Cosby. When she regained consciousness, she awoke to Cosby digitally penetrating and groping her. Constand also claimed that Cosby was forcing her hand onto his penis.
It took nearly 15 hours over the course of two days before the jurors came back with a guilty verdict. It was only a few months ago Bill Cosby’s trial end in a mistrial, but at the latest trial, seven men and five women returned guilty verdicts. As the first verdict was announced, victims in the Pennsylvania courtroom shrieked and cried in delight. Cosby himself showed little emotion as the verdicts were read out. His demeanor in today’s court was much different than his behavior a few months ago where he was more animated and interacted with reporters.
Cosby did become animated when Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele began to discuss bail. Judge Steven O’Neil ruled Cosby can remain free on bail until sentencing. The District Attorney argued back that Cosby was a flight risk because he owned a plane and should be jailed immediately. Cosby had been silent most of the trail until Steele’s agreement.
Cosby referred to himself in the third person and shouted back, “He doesn’t have a plane, you asshole. He doesn’t know.”
No date has been set for sentencing, but in Pennsylvania, a sentence must be handed down within a 100 days of a conviction. Cosby could face up to 10 years for each conviction. The comedian is 80 years old and is now facing up to 30 years in prison. Bill Cosby was once considered “America’s Dad,” but the accusations by 50 different women and the recent conviction have ruined the comedian’s legacy.
Outside the courthouse, lead defense attorney Tom Mesereau said that he was “disappointed by the verdict” and that he plans to appeal the verdict “very strongly.” Mesereau had claimed a me-too atmosphere had taken over the most recent trial.
