First day of Bill Cosby's sentencing hearing for sexual assault conviction

The first day of Bill Cosby's sentencing hearing after he was found guilty of drug trafficking and sexual assault against a woman began Monday, the 81-year-old comedian facing 30 years in prison.

Cosby arrived in court just after 9:20 am in Norristown, Pennsylvania to receive her sentence. He was escorted inside the building on the arm of his lawyer, journalists shouting questions, photographers and cameramen filming his entrance. In addition, a protester shouted with musical accompaniment about justice and "ending the rape".

Cosby seemed to be in an optimistic mood as he headed for the audience room, smiling, and at one point he pointed to the crowd. He seemed indifferent to the commotion and did not engage with the media.

In April, Cosby was convicted of three counts of indecent assault aggravated by a 2004 case involving Andrea Constand, a former employee of her alma mater, Temple University. The jury delivered its verdict to the court at a new trial, although the Cosby Show star always maintains that he is innocent.

It was a full hall inside the courtroom on Monday for his conviction. Model Janice Dickinson and three other women who accused Cosby of sexual assault were sitting behind Constand. The women comforted themselves throughout the hearing, sitting together with their arms one around the other. One of the women, Chelan Lasha, was moved as she entered the courtroom and had to wipe her tears.

As for Constand, she seemed to be in a good mood as she entered the audience room, greeting the other women with a smile. Later, she appeared stoic and in balance throughout the legal proceedings.

The morning session of the sentencing hearing was devoted to the question of whether Cosby should register as a SVP (Sexually Violent Predator). If a convicted sexual predator registers as a SVP, his / her address, employment and travel plans must be communicated to the State and all information concerning their location is made public. The state wanted Cosby's conviction to be registered as a SVP, but Cosby's defense objected, one of the reasons given for this could have an impact on her ability to visit her grandchildren.

On Monday, the state called the psychologist who evaluated Cosby's case, Kristen Dudley, at the helm. Based on her assessment – which included reading the transcripts of the trial and the trial, but did not include any interviews with Cosby herself – she stated that Cosby was at risk of re-offending and therefore had to register. as long as SVP. The defense then cross-examined and questioned whether it considered blindness and age to determine the likelihood of another assault.

During cross-examination, Cosby rolled her eyes and smiled repeatedly, and her accusers of sexual assault noticed and seemed to take offense. In a low voice, they said to themselves, "He's laughing!

According to CBS News, prosecutors have asked Judge Steven O'Neill to sentence Cosby to five or ten years in prison. However, Cosby's defense attorney, Joseph Green, argued that he was too old and fragile to serve his sentence behind bars and recommended that he be placed in a detention center. detention or rehabilitation.

In May, Constand sat down with Data line As a result of the actor's guilty verdict once loved and describing the night she testified that she was sexually assaulted by Cosby.

"He had three blue pills in his hand and he reached out his hand." I said, "What is it?" NBC News Kate Snow reporter. He said, "They will help you relax. "

Constand said while taking the pills, she began to moan his words and had trouble walking. It was then that she said that Cosby had escorted her to a couch where she had sexually assaulted her. "My mind says," Move your hands, kick, I do not want that, why does this person do that? "She said remembering thinking about herself." I was limp. I was a soft noodle. "

The case marked the first criminal charges against Cosby after more than 50 women came forward accusing them of drugging and / or sexually assaulting them. The alleged incidents date back to 1969, although Cosby denied any wrongdoing.

Meanwhile, Cosby's wife, Camille, supported her husband and released a long Facebook statement in May for her defense. "One day the truth will prevail, it always does," she wrote in part.

Here's more of Camille's statement:

– Reportage by Darla Murray