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.
However, prosecutors said they would retry Cosby and he still faces a slew of civil lawsuits.
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 were too old to prosecute.
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.
“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, after the mistrial was declared.
While Agrusa spoke outside the courtroom, Cosby stood silently behind her, surrounded by his supporters, his head tilted back, looking toward the sky.
“Historically people have challenged injustices,” said Cosby’s wife Camille in a statement read by a spokeswoman.
“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 also sharply criticised the judge and prosecutors for pursuing the case.
“How do I describe the district attorney? Heinously and exploitively ambitious. How do I describe the judge? Overtly arrogant and collaborating with the district attorney,” it said.
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/NAN)
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