[ad_1]
Bill Cosby was convicted of sexual assault in April and now the An 81-year-old actor will face the criminal justice system this week for sexually assaulting Andrea Constand in his suburb of Philadelphia in 2004.
Because of his conviction in the next few days, he could be subjected to probation, house arrest or a 30-year prison sentence.
The guilty verdict came after Cosby was accused by dozens of women for sexual misconduct in recent decades. However, Constand's allegations are the only ones to have resulted in criminal charges.
The jury – made up of seven men and five women – deliberated for 14 hours in April after the new two-week trial at the Montgomery County Courthouse in Norristown, Pennsylvania.
The jurors spent 12 days hearing the arguments of the lawyers and the testimony of witnesses, including Constand and five other women, who claimed to have been also drugged and sexually assaulted by the humorist.
One of the women reportedly told Cosby by tears, "You remember, is not it, Mr. Cosby?
Cosby had previously stated that his meeting with Constand – a former employee of the women's basketball team at Temple University – was consensual.
Constand testified that Cosby – a Temple administrator – drugged her and sexually assaulted her when she went to his home to ask for career advice.
Cosby's defense team argued that Constand was "a crook who wanted a piece of Cosby's fortune."
With respect to his sentence, each of the three counts carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, which means he could be sentenced to 30 years, although this is not likely to occur.
Even if these sentences were inflicted on them, they would probably be served concurrently, which meant that he could only be in jail for a maximum of 10 years.
Michael Donio, a retired judge at the New Jersey District Court, told USA Today that an average person without a criminal record would have five years in prison for these crimes.
However, given Cosby's age, charitable work and the testimony of other women in the case, he will likely receive less.
There is also the possibility of a house arrest because of Cosby saying that he is completely blind.
Lawyer Gloria Allred, who represents 33 women who have accused Bill Cosby, made a statement in court following the verdict in April.
"I want to thank the jury, justice has been done!", She shouted. "We are so happy that we can finally say that women are believed and not only on #MeToo, but in court where they were sworn in … where they testified honestly, where there were attempts to discredit them and all account fact. the women finally believed.
More: Bill Cosby
She added: "I am the happiest of any decision of justice of the last 42 years".
The actor was once called the father of America, but his reputation has been declining since comedian Hannibal Buress spoke of the numerous allegations of rape against comic in 2014.
Since then, more than 60 women have made allegations against him.
Cosby's June 2017 lawsuit ended in a draw.
Do you have a story?
If you have a story, video or photos, contact the Metro.co.uk Entertainment team by sending an e-mail to [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145 or visiting our Submit Stuff page – we would love to hear from you.
MORE: Nicki Minaj has not yet donated $ 25k to Cosby Show actor Geoffrey Owens
MORE: Cosby Show actor Geoffrey Owens "accepts work at Tyler Perry"
[ad_2]
Source link
