Bill Cosby sentencing: First day of hearing draws to a close with comedian facing up to 30 years jail time

Cosby was being convicted in April of violating Temple University employee Andrea Constand at his suburban Philadelphia home

Bill Cosby arrives at court for sentencing

Day one of Bill Cosby's sentencing hearing that will determine how the 81-year-old comedian will be punished for drugging and sexually assaulting a woman more than 14 years ago has been adjourned. A judge is expected to sentence Cosby in the Philadelphia area courthouse on Tuesday.

Cosby was the first celebrity to go to trial in the #MeToo era and could be the first to go to prison, after being convicted in April of violating Temple University employee Andrea Constand at his suburban Philadelphia home in 2004.

Cosby walked into the courthouse on the arm of his longtime spokesman as protesters shouted at him.

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Court adjourned in the late afternoon on the first day of the two-day hearing. Montgomery County Judge Steven O'Neill has reportedly stated in court that prosecutors and defence lawyers have agreed to merge the charges against Cosby. The state guidelines for someone like Cosby, with no prior convictions, call for about one to four years behind bars.

Whatever the sentence, Cosby is likely to be deemed a sexually violent predator and will have to undergo monthly counselling the rest of his life, in prison or out. Neighbours and schools will be warned he is living nearby.

Associated Press

[24 September 2018 13:55 · Steve Anderson]

Hello and welcome to our coverage of the sentencing hearing for Bill Cosby.

[24 September 2018 13:57 · Steve Anderson]

Bill Cosby's downfall from "America's Dad" to convicted felon will reach its final chapter in the Pennsylvania courtroom, when a judge will begin deciding whether to sentence the 81-year-old comedian to prison for sexual assault.

Cosby, who was found guilty in April, is the first celebrity to be convicted since the start of the #MeToo movement. The sentencing hearing is expected to last two days.

[24 September 2018 14:01 · Steve Anderson]

Cosby faces up to 10 years on each of three counts of aggravated indecent assault, though it is unlikely Montgomery County Court Judge Steven O'Neill would go as high as 30 years.

[24 September 2018 14:04 · Steve Anderson]

Here is a profile of Cosby that we published back in April, after the guilty verdict:

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[24 September 2018 14:18 · Steve Anderson]

Here is Cosby arriving at court earlier today:

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Reuters 

[24 September 2018 14:19 · Steve Anderson]

Andrea Constand, the woman Bill Cosby was convicted of drugging and sexually assaulting, has also just arrived at the Pennsylvania courthouse.

​The doors to the courthouse are now closed

[24 September 2018 14:32 · Steve Anderson]

The big question is how long, if at all, Cosby will get in prison

Defense attorneys are likely to point to Cosby's age, declining health, history of philanthropic giving and the fact that this is his first criminal conviction as factors that show he should receive a short prison sentence -- or none at all. In addition, Cosby could be allowed to remain out of prison until any legal appeal is resolved.

The decision is ultimately up to Judge Steven O'Neill, who will also consider whether Cosby should be classified as a sexually violent predator. The distinction would subject Cosby to lifetime registration with state police, lifetime sex offender counseling and community notification. A state panel has said that should happen; his attorneys have argued the board's process is unconstitutional.

[24 September 2018 14:41 · Steve Anderson]

Since he was released on $1 million bail, Cosby has been wearing a GPS monitoring device. He can only leave his mansion with permission, to meet with his lawyer or to receive medical treatment

[24 September 2018 14:47 · Steve Anderson]

The sentencing hearing, which could extend into Tuesday, could also feature testimony and victim impact statements from women who have accused Cosby of assault. Defense attorneys would be allowed to cross-examine witnesses, said Kate Delano, spokeswoman for the county prosecutor's officer.  

Judge O'Neill last week denied prosecutors' request to present "numerous" witnesses who would testify that Cosby sexually abused them in incidents that did not result in criminal charges, court records show.

[24 September 2018 14:59 · Steve Anderson]

Here is some video of Cosby arriving at court this morning