Bill Cosby’s sexual assault conviction has been overturned.
(Picture: AP)Bill Cosby’s sexual assault conviction has been overturned, and the American comedian is set to be released from prison today.
The 83-year-old was in the midst of serving three to 10 years in state prison for drugging and sexually assaulting Temple University Andrea Constand in Cosby’s private home 2004. Cosby was found guilty and sentenced in 2018.
Cosby has continually been accused of doing the same by dozens of other women on top of Constant, but over the course of several decades. The first record of allegations started in the in the mid 1960s, for example, rendering many of them futile in the court of law as they fell outside the statute of limitations.
But still, he was serving his sentence — for a time. Until today, when, in an unexpected turn of events, The Pennsylvania Supreme Court overturned Cosby’s sexual assault conviction, allowing for the former actor’s release shortly thereafter. Cosby was just two years into his sentence, the minimum of which was supposed to be three, when the announcement was made.
Bill Cosby’s conviction for sexual assault has been overturned by a Pennsylvania appeals court, a decision that will set free a man whose case had represented the first high-profile sexual assault trial to unfold in the aftermath of the #MeToo movement https://t.co/MRFyBDTGAn
— Rachael Akidi (@rakidi) June 30, 2021
“Cosby’s convictions and judgment of sentence are vacated and he is discharged,” , a spokesperson for Pennsylvania Supreme Court told CNN.
“We believe that he will be released from prison this afternoon,” Cosby’s lawyer added.
The news of Cosby’s imminent release has sparked outrage on social media, prompting a resurgence of the “#MeToo” hashtag first made popular in 2017 when the extent of the allegations against Cosby truly came to light.
I guess we now know the answer to whether #MeToo went too far, for all the op-ed columnists who kept asking.
— Joe Berkowitz (@JoeBerkowitz) June 30, 2021
I am furious to hear this news. I personally know women who this man drugged and raped while unconscious. Shame on the court and this decision. #TimesUp #MeToo
— Amber Tamblyn (@ambertamblyn) June 30, 2021
Bill Cosby to Be Freed as Court Overturns His Sex Assault Conviction - The New York Times https://t.co/W34edMi1vw
I stand with these women and all survivors. You are not alone. I’m so sorry you have to go through this. #MeToo #BelieveWomen pic.twitter.com/9suiMeegCG
— John Connolly (@johnmconnollyjr) June 30, 2021
Sexual assault survivors and their allies are especially unsettled, and disappointed, by the news. Many are addressing the irony that Cosby’s conviction was one of the only major convictions that came out of the movement — yet still meant nothing in the long run.
To all victim-survivors who are hearing the Bill Cosby news and want to sob or rage, or crawl into bed and say FUCK EVERYTHING, I see you. You're not alone. If you need anything my DMs are open.#MeToo
— Alison Turkos (@alisonturkos) June 30, 2021
So the one big sentencing from the #MeToo movement has been overturned?
— Chuck Grassley's Pidgin (@ChucksPidgin) June 30, 2021
Somehow people are still going to ask why women don't come forward earlier about sexual assault.
From #MeToo to #FuckYou in 2 years.
— Mr. Newberger (@jeremynewberger) June 30, 2021
Others are pointing out the obvious: This is the exact reason why so few survivors come forward.
THIS is why women do not come forward.https://t.co/6WXe4UmWXt
— E. Jean Carroll (@ejeancarroll) June 30, 2021
😢😡50+ grown women came forward and told how a bad man raped them. THIS is why some little girls don't tell. #MeToo pic.twitter.com/yO6lfhua9y
— 💋💋Mistress Lilith Abi💋💋 (@Lillysbookshelf) June 30, 2021
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, you can seek help by calling the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-HOPE (4673), or if int he UK, The Survivors Trust at 08088 010818.
For more resources on sexual assault, visit RAINN.
