CREDIT: (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Bill Cosby
Philadelphia, PA (77WABC/AP) — Bill Cosby has been freed from prison after Pennsylvania’s highest court overturned his sexual assault conviction.
It is a stunning reversal of fortune for the comedian once known as “America’s Dad.” The state Supreme Court said Wednesday that the prosecutor who brought the case was bound by his predecessor’s agreement not to charge Cosby.
The 83-year-old Cosby served nearly three years of a three- to 10-year sentence. Cosby was promptly set free from the state prison in suburban Montgomery County and driven home.
Hours after he arrived home, his legal team, escorted him out to the front lawn, where supporters cheered for his freedom and his legal team boasted about the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling.
“We want to thank the Pennsylvania State Supreme Court for reviewing Mr. Cosby’s appeal, but also seeing the light seeing the lies, saying that Mr. Cosby had immunity,” said Andrew Wyatt, Bill Cosby’s Spokesperson.
“How could a man who was being watched by the FBI every day, be raping and drugging women in the 60’s and 70’s, especially a black man today. Justice came to Mr. Cosby today,” Wyatt went on to say.
Justices ruled Cosby should have not been prosecuted because of a deal with former Montgomery County District Attorney Bruce Castor. The reported deal, which was not in writing, alleged Castor promised Cosby wouldn’t be charged if he agreed to testify in a 2005 civil suit brought by accuser Andrea Constand.
The courts 79-page decision stated that Cosby, in accordance with the advice of his attorneys, the 83-year-old relied upon then-District Attorney Castor’s public announcement that he would not be prosecuted.
But then Castor’s successor, Kevin Steele, used Cosby’s testimony as a key piece of evidence more than a decade later to file criminal charges against the comedian.
“We all knew all along, he should have never been prosecuted for this, he had every right to rely on the prosecutors word. And they pulled the rug right underneath him, because of the court of public opinion. And that is not how our system should operate,” said Cosby Attorney Jennifer Bonjean.
Cosby didn’t speak during the press conference outside of his home. He was wearing pajama pants and a white t-shirt. He looked very frail as he draped his arm around his spokesperson.
About two hours after the presser, Cosby took to social media to express his thoughts about the overturned ruling.
Former co-host of the Cosby Show Phylicia Rashad expressed her joy for the release of Mr. Cosby by tweeting this:
https://twitter.com/PhyliciaRashad/status/1410289746539130882
But later, Rashad sent out another tweet stating the following:
“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.”
Many of Cosby’s accusers were sickened by the news of his release.
“I’m concerned that women will think they shouldn’t come forward. I can tell you, as somebody who did it was challenging. It was scary. There were many times when I was called horrible names for saying what I said about this,” said Patricia Leary Steuer, an accuser who testified against Cosby during his criminal trial.
Cosby still has two civil cases against him. Attorney Gloria Alred says one will begin a status hearing in Santa Monica Superior Court in August.
