After a prolonged court battle, along with years of public allegations, it was officially announced that Bill Cosby is going to prison. As it was reported earlier today, the comedian and television star is sentenced to serve three-to-ten years in state prison-- relating to a 2004 case involving sexual assault. The details are still coming, but here's what we know about the update in the trial. Please be warned, the details can be considered graphic in nature.
The trial update was reported by The Associated Press. While the disgraced comedian has received copious allegations of sexual assault throughout the past few years, this prison sentence is related to a 2004 case, where he drugged and sexually assaulted a woman inside his gated estate. The case is noteworthy for a variety of different reasons, particularly as one of the first high-profile #MeToo personalities sent to prison for his convicted crimes. As the legal and justice system ran their course, this conviction is considered by many to be the final chapter of Bill Cosby's tarnished legacy.
During the trial as the verdict was set to be delivered, Montgomery County Judge Steven O'Neill proclaimed the following statement to Bill Cosby.
It is time for justice. Mr. Cosby. This has all circled back to you. The time has come.
When asked about the verdict by CNN, Lili Bernard, a woman who accused Bill Cosby of drugging and raping her, said the following response.
This is a momentous decision in the me-too era... It's incredibly important. I do have mixed emotions. On the one hand I feel absolutely elated that justice was served. On the other hand I also feel disappointed because clearly the three-year minimum sentence does not adequately reflect the havoc this man, this rapist, has inflicted on so many women including myself ... It does indicate there is now a shift in the legal system that is now going to reflect modern culture and that now women's voices are being believed and women's lives are being valued.
Camille Cosby, the wife of Bill Cosby for 54 years who has continued to defend her shamed husband (as she did earlier this year) -- despite the widespread sexual allegations and accusations of presented against her husband -- was notably not seen in court when the decision was decided. Earlier this year, Bill Cosby was found guilty three counts of aggravated indecent assault. He is expected to serve a maximum of ten years in prison, as well as a minimum of three years behind bars before he can receive parole. Based on his age and physicality at this stage of his life -- he is legally blind and needs a cane to walk around -- there's a fairly decent chance the once-beloved comedian might live out his final days locked up in prison.
In addition to this prison sentence, Bill Cosby was also expelled from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences alongside Roman Polanski, and he was also kicked out of the TV Academy's Hall of Fame. There is no shortage of disgraces Bill Cosby has received -- and will certainly continue to receive -- in the wake of this conviction. We'll continue to keep you posted on the ongoing developments and updates in this criminal case.
