Judge declares mistrial in Cosby sexual assault case

Bill Cosby’s trial on sexual assault charges ended in a mistrial Saturday after jurors, who deliberated more than 52 hours over six days, failed to reach a unanimous decision. Judge Steven O’Neill told jurors at the Montgomery County Courthouse in Norristown, Pa., that their service was “one of the more courageous acts, one of the more selfless acts that I’ve seen in the justice system. ... I feel bad for all of you, I really do.” He added, “A mistrial is neither vindication nor victory for anybody.” Cosby was charged with drugging and molesting Temple University employee Andrea Constand at his suburban Philadelphia home in 2004. The former television star claims the encounter was consensual. District Attorney Kevin Steele promised to retry Cosby. “[Constand] has shown such courage through this, and we are in awe of what she has done,” Steele said. “She’s entitled to a verdict in this case.” Meanwhile, Cosby’s defense team declared victory. “Mr. Cosby’s power is back. It has been restored,” said spokesman Andrew Wyatt. Cosby’s wife, Camille, released a statement, read by Wyatt, slamming Judge O’Neill, prosecutors, the accuser’s lawyers, and the media for the way they conducted themselves during the trial. Cosby did not comment. Constand, 44, went to police about a year after she said the assault occurred, but the district attorney at the time declined to press charges. In 2015, a new district attorney reopened the investigation after numerous women came forward saying Cosby had drugged and abused them.

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