For those who may not be following Bill Cosby’s ongoing scandal, here’s how Cosby was convicted:
Cosby was first accused by Andrea Constand, former operations director of the women’s basketball team at Temple University, of drugging and molesting her. Constand’s claim sparked a slew of women to step forward and share similar experiences, providing enough evidence to bring Cosby to trial, along with his confession of giving Constand pills in May 2016.
The comedian maintained his claim of innocence as the first trial began on June 7, 2016. After six consecutive days of deadlock within the jury, a retrial was scheduled for April 9, 2018. The retrial revealed that Cosby had paid Constand a $3.38 million-dollar civil settlement in 2006, raising questions as to why a supposed innocent man would pay Constand. On April 26, he was officially convicted for drugging and molesting Andrea Constand in his Philadelphia home in 2004. The following day, Judge Steven O’Neill placed Cosby on house arrest until sentencing, fit with an ankle monitor and strict orders not to leave his Philadelphia mansion unless it was to meet his doctor or lawyer.
Fast forward to September, Bill Cosby was officially sentenced for his crime against Constand.
This past Tuesday, September 25, Cosby was sentenced by O’Neill to three to 10 years in state prison for assault. O’Neill called his crime “planned predation” and noticed that Cosby lacked remorse and never sought psychological counseling. Cosby was taken into custody immediately and was denied bail while pursuing an appeal. Gloria Allred, the attorney who represented the 33 women who also accused Cosby of sexual assault, told ABC News reporter, “This has been a long journey for justice for all of the accusers, particularly for Andrea Constand and her family. This is an important day. Judgment day has come.” Some victims had hoped for a harsher sentence for Cosby but were glad to know he will serve time behind bars for his crimes.
Judge O’Neill also designated Cosby a sexually violent predator, which, according to Pennsylvania law, means that that person has a mental abnormality that makes them likely to engage in a predatory, sexually violent manner. The entertainer is now required by law to register as a sex offender with severe and lifelong consequences.
Cosby was taken to Montgomery County jail to be processed, after which he will be transferred to state prison to carry out his sentence.
When it comes to sexual assault cases, more often than not, the perpetrator gets to walk away with no more than a slap on the wrist. We’re surrounded with cases like Brock Turner, where a man gets let out of jail for sexual assault around three months due to “good behavior.” It’s time to teach society that that is not okay. Although it may have taken nearly 14 years, Constand can leave behind the horrifying memories that Cosby left her with — justice has been served, finally.