buzzz worthy. . .
"America's Dad," Bill Cosby has been arraigned on sexual assault charges. On Wednesday afternoon an Elkins County, PA court issued a warrant for the embattled comedians' arrest on three felony charges of aggravated indecent assault in connection to the 2004 allegations from former Temple University employee, Andrea Constand, who was the fist accuser to come forth. The Cos has turned over his passport and if convicted he could face 10 years in prison and a $25,000 fine. Cosby was released on $1 million bail late Wednesday.
Court documents indicate Cosby, 78, is accused of penetrating Constand with his fingers while she was inebriated from pills and wine he gave her, as she was "drifting in and out of consciousness, unable to resist or cry out." Cosby has previously stated the encounter was consensual, while Constand, who is gay, has maintained she did not welcome his advances.
This case is one of many lawsuits against Cosby, but stands out as a criminal celebrity case that could be bigger than the O.J. Simpson trial as it plays out in in the age of social media, For over a year a heap of rape allegations from 50 women of all backgrounds have tainted Cosby's name. Cosby has consistently denied all accusations hurled at him.
In a statement following the arraignment, Cosby attorneys said they expect their client will be exonerated: "Make no mistake, 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.”
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| Comedian/Actor was charged with sexual assault on Dec. 30, 2015. |
Court documents indicate Cosby, 78, is accused of penetrating Constand with his fingers while she was inebriated from pills and wine he gave her, as she was "drifting in and out of consciousness, unable to resist or cry out." Cosby has previously stated the encounter was consensual, while Constand, who is gay, has maintained she did not welcome his advances.
This case is one of many lawsuits against Cosby, but stands out as a criminal celebrity case that could be bigger than the O.J. Simpson trial as it plays out in in the age of social media, For over a year a heap of rape allegations from 50 women of all backgrounds have tainted Cosby's name. Cosby has consistently denied all accusations hurled at him.
In a statement following the arraignment, Cosby attorneys said they expect their client will be exonerated: "Make no mistake, 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.”
Read the previous reports below to get a sense of the time line and other charges Cosby faces.
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Bill Cosby resigns from Temple U board; faces lawsuit from under aged girl
Written on 12/2/2014
By Mona Austin
By Mona Austin
On Monday, Dec. 1, Temple University accepted the resignation of alumus Bill Cosby in the wake of lingering allegations from a bevy of women claiming he sexually violated them, some decades ago. Cosby stepped down after serving 32 years on the university's board of trustees. The legendary comedian was an educational philanthropist to Temple and various other HBCU's having donated millions and spoken at several commencement ceremonies.
In 2006 the entertainer settled a civil law suit with a woman over an alleged incident two years before, admitting their involvement was consensual. This, along with continuous allegations from a growing number of alleged victims triggered an online petition from Temple students that demanded he be let go.
Up until Cosby went completely silent in an NPR interview when questioned about the allegations, people seemed to be giving the beloved actor the benefit of the doubt. While Cosby has never been convicted of any criminal charges and denies all claims, he has spoken only through an attorney saying he would not dignify the claims with a response. His deafening silence proved to be the "quiet before the storm," however. When asked about the rape allegations Cos simply shook his head and refused to verbally reply.
Not responding when directly given the chance to defend himself further raised suspicions of guilt, Now it looks like his career is spiraling out of control as one career blow after another impacts the man who once played a model dad on "The Cosby Show". . .
Not responding when directly given the chance to defend himself further raised suspicions of guilt, Now it looks like his career is spiraling out of control as one career blow after another impacts the man who once played a model dad on "The Cosby Show". . .
After over a month of damning headlines career fallout for Bill Cosby includes
- TVland has cancelled re-runs of "The Cosby Show
- NBC dropped the new Bill Cosby sitcom
- Netflix postpone Cosby's comedy special
- Boston's Amherst University stripped Cosby of an Honorary Doctorate degree a week ago
Model Janice Dickenson is among the women who say Cosby raped them. The latest victim to come forth has mounted the first civil law suit against The Cos, now 77, alleging he violated her when she was a minor.
Here's more from People.com. . .
Judy Huth filed a complaint in U.S. Superior Court in L.A. Tuesday [Dec. 2] alleging sexual battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligent infliction of emotional distress for an incident that allegedly occurred around 1974, when she was 15.
Former co-stars are steering clear of the spectacle. Singer Jill Scott, a fellow Philadelphian is one of few to publicly defend Mr. Cosby.