Bill Cosby is a free man.
He was sentenced in 2018 to serve ten years for drugging and sexually assaulting Andrea Constand at his home 14 years ago. He got released because the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania vacated his 2018 conviction on sexual assault charges and judgment of sentence, news sources report.
As reported on NBC, the state Supreme Court said the 83-year-old comedian cannot be retried on the same charges. The article also gave more details as to why he got released. Justice David Wecht said,
“When an unconditional charging decision is made publicly and with the intent to induce action and reliance by the defendant, and when the defendant does so to his detriment (and in some instances upon the advice of counsel), denying the defendant the benefit of that decision is an affront to fundamental fairness.” He continued,
“For these reasons, Cosby’s convictions and judgment of sentence are vacated, and he is discharged.”
Cosby flashed a peace sign to fans as he was getting released. He’s set to make a statement, but sources report he wanted to take a bath first.
His legal team spoke to news outlets. They said, “Mr. Cosby has always used his celebrity, his name, his likeness, to uplift women. This is a man who refused to perform at the White House with Nixon.” He went on to say “how could a man who was being watched by the FBI raping and drugging women.” Take a look:
CNN points out one of Cosby’s accusers, Victoria Valentino, told the publication she was “stunned” by the court’s decision. However, Bill’s former TV wife on The Bill Cosby Show, Phylicia Rashad, was thrilled that he’s getting out and said, “FINALLY!!! A terrible wrong is being righted- a miscarriage of justice is corrected!”