Bill Cosby has been sentenced to three to 10 years in a state prison after a judge found him guilty for drugging and sexually assaulting Andrea Constand, reported CNN. The 81-year-old comedian’s request for bail was denied as Judge Steven O’Neill said he “could quite possibly be a danger to the community.”
The sentencing requires Cosby to undergo counselling for the rest of his life and would see him listed on the sex offenders registry. Cosby’s counsel’s argument that the actor’s old age needed to be taken into consideration was brushed aside by the judge who designated him a sexually violent predator. More than 60 women including Lili Bernard and former model Janice Dickinson have come out with accusations against the actor.
With my brave, badass #survivorsister #JaniceDickinson now at #MontgomeryCountyCourthouse. 2nd & last day #BillCosby sentencing hearing. #JudgeStevenOneill just announced he’s ready to hand down sentence to our rapist. May justice be served! #MeToo #TimesUp #ERANow pic.twitter.com/Rpcg1DNrOL
— Lili Bernard (@LiliBernard) September 25, 2018
Cosby was convicted earlier this year for drugging and sexually assaulting a 30-year-old Constand at his Philadelphia estate in 2004. Constand testified that Cosby had given her three blue pills, she passed out after consuming them. Constand woke up to find Cosby penetrating her with his fingers.
According to a Guardian report, Constand, in a victim impact statement, said that the assault had derailed her life. “Life as I knew it came to abrupt halt,” she said. She continued, “The man I had come to know as a mentor and friend drugged and sexually assaulted me. Instead of being able to run, jump and pretty much do anything I wanted physically, during the assault I was paralysed and completely helpless.”
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As an aftermath of the incident, she said, “The shame was overwhelming. I felt completely alone, unable to trust anyone, including myself.” During the time of the incident, Constand was working with the women’s basketball team at Temple University where Cosby served as a trustee.
Her job demanded her to be in touch with Cosby after the incident too. “The sound of his voice over the phone felt like a knife going through my guts,” she said.
Cosby’s spokesman, Andrew Wyatt, reported that Cosby was fine. “Mr Cosby’s doing great, and Mr Cosby knows that God is watching over him. He knows that these are lies. They persecuted Jesus and look what happened. I’m not saying Mr Cosby is Jesus, but we know what this country has done to black men for centuries.”
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