As the saying goes you can run but you cannot hide. It seems however that Bill Cosby is getting too old for that now. Bill Cosby will facing a trial for alleged sexual misconduct, for which he was first accused of more than a decade ago.
Even though it is uncertain when the official trial will begin, however after a proceeding on Tuesday, May 24, a Pennsylvania judge declared there was enough evidence present for a criminal trial. Cosby was seen walking to court Tuesday, holding the arm of Andrew Wyatt, his spokesperson.
There have been more than 50 women who have accused Cosby of unwanted sexual misconduct. One of whom is Andrea Constand, being one of the first to accuse him publicly in 2004, who was an employee at Temple University, where he attended college.
In 2006 the parties had reached a civil settlement, however the case was then reopened because new evidence was brought to light, and more accusers came forward and some of Cosby’s comments during 2005 deposition were unsealed. Then the newly elected district attorney, and the case became an election issue, leading him to reopen case.
This leading to Cosby being charged with three felonies and being arraigned in December, and then being released on $1 million bond.
Cosby has denied the allegations. He sued Constand in February, claiming she violated terms of the 2006 settlement
The first witness brought by the prosecution was Katherine Hart of the Montgomery County Detective Bureau, and she read parts of a statement by Constand in court. The statement stated that, in 2004, Cosby had invited Constand to his home. She wrote that at the time she was dealing with problems in her life and when Cosby noticed this he gave her some pills “take the edge off.” This leading to Cosby then assaulting her.
However Constand herself was not present, causing the defense to take advantage of this, saying that it was weak evidence, that is why the prosecution themselves had not allowed to confront the accused. Also adding that the statement was inconsistent.
Also causing further holes, Hart acknowledged that she was not present for the entire statement in January 2005, and another detective had finished the questioning. Also saying that later in the evening, Constand was allowed to review it, and that she had made changes to it.
These changes the defense also took advantage of saying that she changed parts that were important, such as first saying that they had been touching and then changing it to saying they were also sitting closely. CNN’s Jean Casarez pointed this out that even though credibility is not part of preliminary case but consent it.
She is charging him for three counts of felony aggravated indecent assault. These charges each have a maximum sentence of ten years in prison, however the judge could sentence them concurrently, and so if convicted he would only serve for one sentence of ten years. However this decision, to move forward with the trial, has been criticized by the defense’s attorney. He believes there are too many inconsistencies and there should be no more investigation or case.
“The evidence presented today was evidence of nothing. They had 12 years to bring an accuser to confront Mr. Cosby. They chose not to,” defense attorney Brian McMonagle said.
Nevertheless the prosecution is also standing strong. The Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele said the prosecution only had to “prove that a crime was committed and the defendant’s connected to the crime.” Also adding that this is a primary trial and that hearsay is acceptable.
The other women have spoken up through social media and other media outlets. However for many of these cases he will not stand trial because they have passed the statute of limitations.
Cosby continues to deny that he sexually assaulted any women. Let us see where this case goes.
Featured Image via Flickr/fuzzcat
