Bill Cosby's conviction was seen as the first of the #metoo era and a victory in the fight against sexual violence against women.
Convicted of sexual assault, the comedian was released from prison on Wednesday, just after the judgment was overturned by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
"Bill Cosby's convictions and sentences are overturned and he must be released," state high court wrote at the end of a 79-page long ruling on the comedian
The 83-year-old creator of "The Cosby Show" has been released from SCI Phoenix, a facility located in Collegeville, Pennsylvania, where he had been held since his conviction in September 2018 for drugging and sexually assaulting Andrea Constand, a woman he had invited to his home in 2004. Later, in front of his house, he introduced himself surrounded by his lawyers and his spokesperson, but did not speak, simply making the V of the victory with two fingers.
“Even though the Supreme Court overturned the conviction, it was for technical reasons. She did not defend Bill Cosby's conduct and should not be construed as a statement or conclusion that he did not do the acts of which he was accused, ”said Gloria Allred, counsel for certain accusers. William Henry Cosby, Jr, by his full name, had been sentenced to a minimum of three years' imprisonment (10 years at the most), which is almost the same length of time he has previously spent in custody.
In its decision, the Supreme Court recalls that the first prosecutor in charge of the case had decided not to prosecute him in criminal proceedings, while encouraging him to testify in civil proceedings brought by the complainant, which he had agreed to do. During this audition, Bill Cosby had admitted to having given Andrea Constand a powerful sedative and to having carried out touching on her, feeling that she was consenting because she had not reacted.
However, this testimony was then held against him during his criminal trial, when a new prosecutor decided to relaunch the case years later, note the magistrates, who made a technical decision there and not on the merits of the case. .
“We said from day one that we believe he has not been treated fairly, and that the system has to be fair. And fortunately, the Supreme Court (of Pennsylvania, editor's note) proved us right. And in an unusual move, she didn't send the case back for a new trial - she overturned the judgment and released him. The case is over, ”said Brian Perry, one of Bill Cosby's lawyers.