US Jury Finds Bill Cosby Liable For 1972 Sexual Assault
US jury finds Bill Cosby liable for 1972 sexual assault
A US jury has found comedian and actor Bill Cosby liable for sexually assaulting a woman in 1972, awarding her millions of dollars in damages.
The civil case centred on allegations by a woman who said Cosby picked her up from her home in a limousine, gave her wine and a pill, and left her incapacitated. She told the court she later lost consciousness and woke up at home with her clothes partially removed, believing she had been drugged and assaulted.
Cosby, now 88, has denied the allegations.
The woman, identified in reports as Donna Motsinger, said the incident happened after Cosby invited her to attend one of his performances. According to court filings, she said he gave her wine and pills she believed were aspirin, after which she became disoriented and drifted in and out of consciousness while being transported in a limousine. She later woke up in her home, partially undressed, and concluded she had been sexually assaulted. Cosby’s legal team argued that the claims were based on speculation, saying the accuser “has no idea what happened.” After a trial in California, jurors found Cosby liable for sexual battery and assault. They awarded the woman nearly $60m (£47m) in total damages, including compensation for emotional distress, suffering, and punitive damages.
Cosby’s lawyer said they were disappointed with the decision and intend to appeal. Cosby, once one of America’s most famous entertainers, has faced allegations of sexual misconduct from more than 60 women dating back decades. He has consistently denied all accusations. His 2018 criminal conviction for sexual assault was overturned in 2021 due to a legal technicality, leading to his release from prison.
