Mistrial declared as Cosby jury deadlocked

Bill Cosby arrives for his sexual assault trial at the Montgomery County Courthouse in Norristown. Picture: Matt Rourke/AP Photo

Bill Cosby arrives for his sexual assault trial at the Montgomery County Courthouse in Norristown. Picture: Matt Rourke/AP Photo

Published Jun 17, 2017

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Norristown - A Pennsylvania judge on

Saturday declared a mistrial in Bill Cosby's sexual assault case

after the jury said it could not reach a verdict, but

prosecutors vowed to retry the case and the disgraced

entertainer still faces a slew of civil lawsuits.

The jurors, who spent 53 hours debating whether Cosby was

guilty or innocent, told Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas

Judge Steven O'Neill they could not reach unanimous verdicts on

whether Cosby was guilty of three counts of aggressive indecent

assault against college administrator Andrea Constand at his

home near Philadelphia in 2004.

Saturday's result was a victory for the comedian, who

avoided up to a decade in prison, but the district attorney said

his office would seek a verdict in a second trial.

"Just because a verdict is not reached in one case doesn’t

mean it won’t be the next time around,” District Attorney Kevin

Steele said at a news conference.

About 60 women have accused Cosby of sexually assaulting

them, effectively ending the long career of the entertainer once

known as "America's dad" for his role in the 1980s television

hit "The Cosby Show." The case was the only one to result in a

criminal trial, largely because the other accusations are now

too old to prosecute.

After the mistrial was declared, Cosby and his legal team

gathered outside the courtroom.

"This is what happens, juries are stuck when a prosecutor

seeks to put someone in prison for things that are simply not

presented in the courtroom,” said Angela Agrusa, one of Cosby's

lawyers.

While Agrusa spoke, Cosby stood silently behind her, his

head occasionally tilting back, looking toward the sky.

A spokeswoman then read a prepared statement from Cosby's

wife Camille, who has steadfastly stood by her husband over the

years, even after the accusations against him piled up.

"Historically people have challenged injustices. I am

grateful to any of the jurors who tenaciously fought to review

the evidence, which is the rightful way to make a sound

decision," the statement said.

It also sharply criticized the judge and prosecutors for

pursuing the case.

"How do I describe the district attorney? Heinously and

exploitatively ambitious," the statement said. "How do I

describe the judge? Overtly arrogant and collaborating with the

district attorney."

The mistrial was a blow to the dozens of women who have said

they were sexually assaulted by Cosby. Several accusers were in

court all week awaiting a verdict and wearing buttons that read

"We Stand in Truth."

"We can never underestimate the blinding power of celebrity,

but justice will come," said Gloria Allred, an attorney who

represents many of Cosby's accusers.

Cosby has said any sexual activity was consensual. He still

faces at least four civil lawsuits from at least 10 accusers.

Cosby's starring role as beloved dad Heathcliff Huxtable in

"The Cosby Show" made him a household name, bolstering a

reputation built on years of family-friendly standup comedy

routines.

His popularity also made him an in-demand product endorser,

and he appeared in commercials for Jell-O, Coca-Cola

, Ford and others.

He co-starred in the 1960s espionage show "I Spy," the first

black performer to star in a weekly American TV dramatic series.

Cosby said in a radio interview before the trial he hoped to

resume his performing career after the Constand case was

resolved.

The jury appeared unable to agree on which version of the

night in question to believe: Constand's or Cosby's. They spent

days asking to have testimony read back, including Constand's

testimony at trial as well as the first report she made to

police in 2005.

They also reviewed statements Cosby made about the incident

under oath during Constand's civil lawsuit in 2005 and 2006.

Cosby chose not to testify at trial.

Reuters

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