Bill Cosby trial: timeline of key events leading to conviction

A jury found Cosby guilty of three charges of aggravated indecent assault

Entertainer Bill Cosby has been found guilty of sexual assault, marking the first conviction of a prominent figure felled amid the #MeToo movement.

A jury agreed with prosecutors that Cosby drugged and molesting Andrea Constand, a former Temple basketball employee who first accused Cosby more than a decade ago.

Below is a timeline of key moments in this case:

November 2002

The two meet at a Temple University basketball game. Ms Constand works for the women’s basketball team and Cosby is an alumnus and prominent team booster.

January 2004

The month in which Ms Constand said Cosby invited her to his home and sexually assaulted her.

January 2005

Ms Constand tells her mother that Cosby assaulted her and the two call Cosby to confront him. Later this month Ms Constand goes to Pennsylvania authorities, telling them that during a visit to Cosby’s home, he gave her three blue pills to swallow and told her they would “take the edge off”. She said she subsequently lost control of her body and felt Cosby penetrating her with his fingers.

February 2005

Montgomery County, Pennsylvania district attorney Bruce Castor announces that he will not bring criminal charges, citing “insufficient, credible and admissible evidence”.

March 2005

Ms Constand files a civil lawsuit against Cosby. In the ensuing years, dozens of women will come forward to allege Mr Cosby sexually assaulted them, and some of them will testify at his trial.

2006

Cosby pays Ms Constand $3.38 million to confidentially settle the lawsuit (the figure was cited by prosecutors at trial).

October 2014

A clip of comedian Hannibal Buress calling Cosby a “rapist” during a comedy routine goes viral, reigniting interest in allegations against the comedian and helping encourage others to come forward.

July 2015

A judge releases sections of a deposition Cosby gave during the 2005 civil case. In one excerpt, he says he gave three pills to Ms Constand but denies any wrongdoing.

December 2015

Newly elected district attorney Kevin Steele announces Cosby has been arrested and charged for felony indecent assault.

February 2016

Cosby sues Ms Constand to seek the return of the settlement money, arguing she violated the agreement by speaking with police (he later drops the suit).

June 2017

A mistrial is declared after jurors announce they are deadlocked following five days of deliberation. Prosecutors immediately vow to refile charges.