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.