Bill Cosby released: Actor speaks out on his ‘innocence’ after sex assault conviction overturned
Follow the latest developments as Bill Cosby is released from prison
The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday
Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US
Bill Cosby remained silent as his legal team spoke during a press conference outside his house following his release from prison Wednesday, just hours after Pennsylvania’s highest court overturned his 2018 sexual assault conviction.
Speaking outside Mr Cosby’s home, his lawyer said the 83-year-old former television star is “feeling free”.
The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections said Mr Cosby had been released shortly after the state’s Supreme Court’s decision was revealed.
It comes after the Pennsylvania Supreme Court found that an agreement with a previous prosecutor, Bruce Castor - the attorney who represented former President Donald Trump in his second impeachment trial - prevented Mr Cosby from being charged in the case.
Mr Cosby had been convicted of drugging and molesting Andrea Constand, a Temple University employee, at his estate.
The former television star has already served more than two years of a three- to 10-year sentence at a state prison.
He had been prepared to serve out all 10 years rather than express remorse over the allegations against him over the 2004 encounter with Ms Constand.
It is unclear exactly when he will be released from prison following the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s decision.
Follow live updates below.
Phylicia Rashad updates statement around Bill Cosby’s overturned conviction
Phylicia Rashad has updated her statement around Bill Cosby's overturned conviction.
The actor and comedian's former Cosby Show co-star took to social media to write, “I fully support survivors of sexual assault coming forward. My post was in no way intended to be insensitive to their truth. Personally, I know from friends and family that such abuse has lifelong residual effects. My heartfelt wish is for healing.”
Rashad's name began trending on Twitter on Wednesday after she posted support for Cosby, writing, “FINALLY!!!! A terrible wrong is being righted- a miscarriage of justice is corrected!”
Bill Cosby shares statement on social media: ‘Thank you to all my fans, supporters and friends who stood by me through this ordeal'
Soon after his release from prison, Bill Cosby — or someone in his camp — shared a new statement on the actor and comedian’s social media platforms.
“I have never changed my stance nor my story. I have always maintained my innocence,” the statement read. The statement included an image of Cosby punching the air.
“Thank you to all my fans, supporters and friends who stood by me through this ordeal. Special thanks to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court for upholding the rule of law.”
Cosby Show actor Phylicia Rashad says she supports survivors of sexual assault after backlash
The Cosby Show actorPhylicia Rashad, who played Bill Cosby’s wife on the long-running sitcom, has posted on Twitter that she supports survivors of sexual assault after her earlier post celebrating her former co-star’s release from prison sparked a social media backlash.
Kevin E G Perry has the story.
Kevin E G Perry | The Independent
The latest breaking news, comment and features from The Independent.
Gloria Allred calls Cosby court decision "devastating"
The lawyer, who represents a number of the “prior bad acts” witnesses who testified against Bill Cosby, said although he would likely not face additional criminal charges he “is not home free.”
She told a virtual press conference that the ruling to overturn the tv star’s criminal conviction for sexual assault means that a California lawsuit against him can now move forwards.
Ms Allred represents a woman who claims that she was assaulted by Mr Cosby at the age of 15.
“I’m looking forward to taking his deposition and really getting all the answers that we seek,” said Ms Allred.
Cosby accuser says entertainer ‘not innocent’ despite court ruling
Lise-Lotte Lublin has accused Bill Cosby of drugging and sexually assaulting her in 1989 when she was 23 years old.
“This just means something went wrong in the system,” Ms Lublin told CNN.
“This a part of why we fight to change laws to change statute of limitations. Why would anyone even have a statute on personal harm?”
And she added: “He’s not innocent. He’s a notorious rapist and he just got away with it.”
Mr Cosby was convicted in 2018 of drugging and sexually assaulting Andrea Constand at his home in 2004.
But Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court overturned it saying that because of a deal with a previous prosecutor he should never have been charged over the incident.
Time’s Up founding member Amber Tamblyn condemns Cosby decision
The actress took to Twitter and wrote: “I am furious to hear this news. I personally know women who this man drugged and raped while unconscious.
“Shame on the court and this decision … I don’t want to hear anything about how cancel culture ruined men’s lives during the MeToo era reckoning for women and survivors. How we went too far.
“Today’s news that Cosby’s conviction is being overturned is proof we haven’t gone far enough. Our justice system MUST change.”
Victims advocate urges people not to forget women in Cosby case
Jennifer Storm supported five women who made claims against Mr Cosby, including Andrea Constand, during the court process.
“These are the faces that matter today. The sheroes who suffered his hands, his power and his celebrity status, yet, still they stood firm in their truth. The facts of his crimes are not up for debate here,” she tweeted.
Cosby decision leaves Pennsylvania county with prosecution’s costs
Mr Cosby had been ordered to pay Montgomery County its trial costs, that now he will never have to pay, according to FOX Business.
A spokesperson for the District Attorney’s office told the channel that Mr Cosby had been ordered to pay the costs of the prosecution, which were $76,077.79, following his 2018 conviction.
But Mr Cosby has never paid those costs, and the order has now been vacated, the spokesperson confirmed.
Former DA Bruce Castor defends role in Cosby case
Mr Castor decided not to prosecute Mr Cosby in 2005 after Andrea Constand made a criminal report against the TV star for drugging and sexually assaulting her at his mansion the year before.
Now he has backed his decision in an interview with NBC 10 Philadelphia.
The Supreme Court overturned Mr Cosby’s 2018 conviction for sexual assault because of a deal he made with Mr Castor that they ruled should have prevented him being charged in the case.
“There were a lot of things that led me at the time to think that a prosecution would be problematic and unprovable,” he said.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies