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Bill Cosby charged over 2004 sexual assault allegation Bill Cosby charged over 2004 sexual assault allegation
(35 minutes later)
Bill Cosby will face an aggravated indecent assault charge, his first criminal charge for his alleged conduct against women, prosecutors announced on Wednesday.Bill Cosby will face an aggravated indecent assault charge, his first criminal charge for his alleged conduct against women, prosecutors announced on Wednesday.
Pennsylvania prosecutors issued an arrest warrant for an alleged sexual assault that happened more than a decade ago.Pennsylvania prosecutors issued an arrest warrant for an alleged sexual assault that happened more than a decade ago.
Montgomery County first assistant district attorney Kevin Steele said that the first-degree felony charge stemmed from a sexual assault that took place in early 2004 in Cosby’s home. Steele said that the victim “came to consider Mr Cosby her mentor and her friend” after the two met through her work at Temple University.Montgomery County first assistant district attorney Kevin Steele said that the first-degree felony charge stemmed from a sexual assault that took place in early 2004 in Cosby’s home. Steele said that the victim “came to consider Mr Cosby her mentor and her friend” after the two met through her work at Temple University.
Steele said the victim was penetrated without her consent while she was impaired. “There is not a question in terms of pills being provided to her, there’s not a question as to what went on, of the digital penetration,” Steele said.Steele said the victim was penetrated without her consent while she was impaired. “There is not a question in terms of pills being provided to her, there’s not a question as to what went on, of the digital penetration,” Steele said.
The victim, who prosecutors did not name, had rejected two of Cosby’s sexual advances in the past but on the evening in question, Cosby had urged her to take pills, Steele said. It is not clear to investigators what kind of pills he provided to her, Steele said, but they know he also urged her to drink wine.The victim, who prosecutors did not name, had rejected two of Cosby’s sexual advances in the past but on the evening in question, Cosby had urged her to take pills, Steele said. It is not clear to investigators what kind of pills he provided to her, Steele said, but they know he also urged her to drink wine.
Former Temple University employee Andrea Constand said Cosby had drugged and violated her in Philadelphia, but a district attorney declined to press charges in 2005. Constand had been employed by the women’s basketball team at Temple when she met Cosby, and she said he assaulted her at his home in January 2004. Constand settled her lawsuit against Cosby in 2006.Former Temple University employee Andrea Constand said Cosby had drugged and violated her in Philadelphia, but a district attorney declined to press charges in 2005. Constand had been employed by the women’s basketball team at Temple when she met Cosby, and she said he assaulted her at his home in January 2004. Constand settled her lawsuit against Cosby in 2006.
After the charges were announced, Constand’s attorney, Dolores Troiani released a statement, expressing her “utmost confidence” in Steele and his team.
“On behalf of our client, Andrea Constand, we wish to express our appreciation to the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office, the County Detectives and the Cheltenham Police Department for the consideration and courtesy they have shown Andrea during this difficult time,” the statement said. “We have the utmost confidence in Mr Steele, Ms Feden and their team, who have impressed us with their professionalism.”
Steele said the charges were being filed “in light of new information”. The statute of limitations for sexual assault charges in Pennsylvania is 12 years, and would have expired in January 2016. For many of the other women who have made similar charges against Cosby, the statute of limitations has already expired.Steele said the charges were being filed “in light of new information”. The statute of limitations for sexual assault charges in Pennsylvania is 12 years, and would have expired in January 2016. For many of the other women who have made similar charges against Cosby, the statute of limitations has already expired.
Prosecutors reopened the case over the summer when damaging testimony was unsealed in Constand’s related civil lawsuit against Cosby and as dozens of other women came forward with similar accusations.Prosecutors reopened the case over the summer when damaging testimony was unsealed in Constand’s related civil lawsuit against Cosby and as dozens of other women came forward with similar accusations.
“Reopening this case was our duty as law enforcement officers,” Steele said.“Reopening this case was our duty as law enforcement officers,” Steele said.
Steele said Cosby’s attorney has been notified and that the comedian would be arraigned later on Wednesday.Steele said Cosby’s attorney has been notified and that the comedian would be arraigned later on Wednesday.
Old allegations of sexual misconduct against Cosby, 78, received renewed attention last year. Since then, more than 50 women have come forward accusing him of sexual assault or misconduct.Old allegations of sexual misconduct against Cosby, 78, received renewed attention last year. Since then, more than 50 women have come forward accusing him of sexual assault or misconduct.
Steele said the charges filed on Wednesday concern one victim, but prosecutors spoke with other alleged victims in order to re-open the case. “It’s outlined in the affidavit of probable cause that there are other alleged victims and we are examining evidence in that,” Steele said.Steele said the charges filed on Wednesday concern one victim, but prosecutors spoke with other alleged victims in order to re-open the case. “It’s outlined in the affidavit of probable cause that there are other alleged victims and we are examining evidence in that,” Steele said.
Last week, Cosby filed a lawsuit against supermodel Beverly Johnson for defamation, over her claim that the comedian drugged and attempted to sexually assault her in the 1980s. The suit came after counter-claims that Cosby’s attorneys had filed several days earlier in a Massachusetts federal court agains seven women who are suing him for defamation. Those women contend Cosby defamed them by allowing his representatives to brand them as liars.Last week, Cosby filed a lawsuit against supermodel Beverly Johnson for defamation, over her claim that the comedian drugged and attempted to sexually assault her in the 1980s. The suit came after counter-claims that Cosby’s attorneys had filed several days earlier in a Massachusetts federal court agains seven women who are suing him for defamation. Those women contend Cosby defamed them by allowing his representatives to brand them as liars.