On April 26, Bill Cosby was declared guilty by the jury in his three counts of sexually harassing Andrea Constand back in 2004. The jury sentenced Cosby to jail for 10 years in each count. But the 80-year old is likely to serve them at once.
However, the sentencing is not yet scheduled and Cosby is still out on bail. Cosby made no comments on his conviction and erupted afterward. After the judicial hearing, the prosecutors asked to revoke Bill’s bail as he had a private plane and running the risk of missing the flight.
During the whole proceeding, Cosby didn’t utter a word and sat quietly. But when the prosecutor asked to revoke the bail, Cosby shouted that he doesn’t owe anyone an explanation.
However, Judge Steven O’Neill said that Cosby should not leave his home. As Cosby had houses in multiple states, so if he managed to get to one of those houses he should first be tracked with GPS tracking device, said O’Neill.
Last year, the jury couldn’t agree on giving the final verdict and was deadlocked on Cosby’s trial. This year, the trial started on April 26 and after working for 14 hours, the jury was able to reach a final verdict. On the second trial, five accusers told the jury that Cosby drugged them and assaulted them.
After the verdict, Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele talked to the media and said that Cosby drugged and assaulted five women and with his wealth, celebrity and support of influential people, he concealed his crimes. But according to Cosby’s attorney, Tom Mesereau, Cosby is not guilty of anything and they are very disappointed with this verdict. Tom also said that the case is not over yet and they will appeal again.
Why Was Cosby Accused?
Back in 2004, Andrea Constand. a basketball player with Temple University accused Cosby of assaulting her when she visited him in his house for a career advice. At that time, Cosby was a trustee at the temple. There was little or nothing scientifically against Cosby but the prosecutors relied on the testimony provided by Constand. After Constand’s allegations, five other women alleged Cosby for assaulting them. And after multiple allegations, prosecutors labeled Cosby’s actions as a part of the pattern.
However, Cosby’s defense team said that the interaction between Cosby and Constand was consensual. They further said that Constand wanted a little of Bill’s fortune. Constand was relieved after the trial as she was seen smiling putting her both arms around women walking out of the court.
Gloria Allred, the attorney for all the five ladies assaulted by Cosby, said that she had never been so happy in her entire 42 years.
Cosby’s Honourary Degrees Revoked By The Universities:
As soon as the verdict came out, Pennsylvania’s Carnegie Mellon University canceled the degree awarded to Cosby back in 2007. In the official statement released by the University, it was said that the University is against any kind of assaulting and these type of crimes had no room in our law.
Indiana’s University of Notre Dame also revoked the degree awarded to Cosby back in 1990. The president of the university Rev. John I. Jenkins said that we were waiting for the final verdict on Cosby’s case and now we are revoking his degree after Cosby was found guilty of assaulting multiple women.
The man who was once known as the “America’s dad” faced the trial as a remarkable turn of events. Bill Cosby was the first African-American to win an Emmy and was a groundbreaking actor. His role in “The Cosby Show” and “I Spy” was highly praised by the people. There were dozens of women who accused Cosby of assaulting but it was Constand’s testimony that made this verdict happen.
Lili Bernard, one of the assaulted women, said after the verdict that my faith in humanity was restored. Constand was assaulted by Cosby in 2004 and a year after she told the police about this.
According to CNN, Cosby was satisfied after the verdict and was spending time wither wife on Thursday. Wyatt, Cosby’s spokesman said that the spirits of his client are high. When you are declared guilty but you know that you aren’t, you must be satisfied. He further said that all of us are shocked by this verdict and the evidence we provided, the jury ignored all of them.