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Bill Cosby appeals his sexual assault conviction

Bill Cosby appeals his sexual assault conviction

The 81-year-old was found guilty of drugging and sexually assaulting Andrea Constand, now 46 at his Philadelphia mansion
26 Jun, 2019

Comedian Bill Cosby, who is serving a three and a half year jail sentence, on Tuesday appealed a Pennsylvania court's verdict that found him guilty of drugging and sexually assaulting a woman 15 years ago.

"This filing is an important step in ensuring that Mr Cosby receives a hearing from a fair and impartial court," the actor's spokesman, Andrew Wyatt, said.

"The Constitution guarantees that right to Mr Cosby -- and to all Americans -- and he looks forward to securing justice in the court of appeal," he said in a statement.

The 81-year-old, who shattered racial barriers with his pioneering role as a dad and doctor on the hit television series The Cosby Show, (1984-1992), was found guilty in April 2018 of drugging and sexually assaulting Andrea Constand, now 46, at his Philadelphia mansion.

It was the first trial and first guilty verdict for sexual assault since the advent of the #MeToo movement.

An earlier trial in June 2017 ended in a mistrial after the jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict.

In September 2018, a Pennsylvania judge sentenced the actor to three and a half years in prison on three counts of aggravated indecent assault: penetration without Constand's consent; penetration when she was unconscious and penetration after having been drugged. He was immediately incarcerated.

Although more than 60 women charged that they had been victims of sexual assault by Cosby, the famous comedian was tried criminally only for Constand's assault, since the statute of limitations had expired in the other cases.

Cosby insists he was unjustly convicted.

"America will be great when it fulfills the last four words of the revered Pledge of Allegiance .... 'and justice for all,'" Cosby's wife Camille said in the statement.

A dozen women who say they were victims of Cosby have filed civil suits against the actor seeking compensation for damages.

Comments

Gordon D. Walker Jun 26, 2019 12:22pm
Let him rot in prison... Gordon D. Walker Canada
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Manoj Jun 26, 2019 01:15pm
Let him rot in prison. But no compensation to the ladies either.
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S.Ahmad Jun 26, 2019 05:51pm
That he could file an appeal is a tribute to American justice system!
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Laila Jun 27, 2019 04:59am
He crossed somebody mightier than himself. So after decadesthey decided to ruin him a d throw him to the lions. I do believe he is guilty but it's also clear that he was protected by unnamed powerful individuals...until now. Notice also how the pale Harvey Weinstein has yet to be put away despite a mountain of testimonies against him. It's Hollywood. Colour matters. Dont bite the hand that feeds you. Or they will destroy you and your legacy in a heartbeat.
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