Bill Cosby Charged With Sexual Assault

January 8th, 2016

Awake Goy

Actor and comedian Bill Cosby arrives for his arraignment on sexual assault charges at the Montgomery County Courthouse in Elkins, Pa.

Just days before the twelve year statute of limitations for bringing charges was set to run out, a Pennsylvania court charged comedian Bill Cosby with aggravated indecent assault, a felony. Although allegations of sexual misconduct have been made by 50 women over three decades, this is the first criminal charge brought against the 78-year-old Cosby. The statute of limitations has expired for most of the other cases. Cosby has always denied wrongdoing.

The criminal charges originate from accusations by Andrea Constand that Cosby drugged and sexually assaulted her in his home in 2004. Constand claims that after urging her to drink wine and take pills until she was slipping in and out of consciousness and unable to move, Cosby penetrated her with his fingers. When Constand first told police about the incident in 2005, the District Attorney at that time declined to prosecute Cosby. Constand filed a civil lawsuit against Cosby which was settled in 2006 on confidential terms and the documents were sealed. According to her lawyer, Constand is gay and was dating a woman around the time she met Cosby in the early 2000s.

The current District Attorney said the case was reopened after new evidence emerged. Damaging testimony was unsealed in Constand’s civil lawsuit against Cosby and dozens of other women came forward with similar accusations. Another important factor to investigators was Cosby’s apologies to Constand and her mother and his offer of financial assistance. Investigators interpreted these as indications of Cosby’s consciousness of guilt. They recognized that “individuals who are falsely accused of sexual assault generally do not unilaterally offer generous financial assistance and apologies to their accuser and their accuser’s family.”

Aggravated indecent assault is punishable by a prison sentence of five to 10 years and a fine of $25,000. Cosby posted bail of $1 million, surrendered his passport, and was ordered to avoid contact with Constand.

Cosby’s lawyers said they would fight the charges and that Cosby will not accept a plea deal. In a statement, one of his lawyers said, “… We intend to mount a vigorous defense against this unjustified charge and we expect that Mr. Cosby will be exonerated by a court of law.”