In an incredible day for survivors of sexual assault everywhere, Bill Cosby has been found guilty on all three counts of aggravated indecent assault against ex-basketball player Andrea Constand in 2004.
After the guilty verdict was read out and the jurors left the room, Cosby launched into an expletive-filled tirade, calling District Attorney Kevin Steele an “asshole”.
The prosecutor had been arguing that Cosby should be held because he is “somebody who has unlimited wealth” and could flee on a private plane, according to several reports.
“He doesn’t have a plane, you asshole,” Cosby reportedly yelled. He also shouted at one point, “I’m sick of him!”, referring to Steele.
Cosby will remain out of jail until he is sentenced. Each count of sexual assault carries a potential of 10 years in prison.
“We are so happy that finally we can say, women are believed, and not only on #MeToo, but in a court of law,” said lawyer Gloria Allred outside court.
It was the second time Cosby had stood trial over the allegations, after an earlier jury failed to find a verdict in 2017.
Around 60 women over five decades have publicly accused the actor of being a sexual predator, but due to statute of limitation laws, only one charge has been brought to trial. During this second trial, five women were allowed to testify as “prior bad acts” witnesses in order for prosecutors to prove the behaviour was a pattern, whereas in the first trial, only one woman was allowed to testify.
Several of his accusers were present in court, and cried when the guilty verdict was returned.
If you would like to speak to someone confidentially around issues of sexual assault, please call 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or the Kids Helpline (ages 5–25) on 1800 55 1800.
