US: Bill Cosby convicted on 3 counts of sexual assault

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON

A jury convicted comedian Bill Cosby of three counts of sexual assault Thursday, capping a fall from grace for the former icon once hailed as "America's dad".

A jury deliberated for two days before reaching its decision in a case involving the drugging and sexual assault of Andrea Constand at Cosby's Pennsylvania home in 2004. The jury found Cosby, 80, guilty of each charge of aggravated indecent assault.

Each charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, but the terms can be served concurrently. Sentencing has yet to be scheduled.

Cosby's conviction is the first of a high-profile celebrity in the #MeToo era that has emboldened women to come forward with their stories of sexual assault.

Cosby has faced allegations from over 60 women of sexual misconduct spanning decades, most of which involved the comedian being accused of drugging the women before raping them.

Crucial to the prosecution's case was testimony from five of those women who, like Constand, accused Cosby of sexually assaulting them after he drugged them. The cases they described date back to the 1980's.

Prosecutors used their testimony to build a case that Cosby had a history of predatory behavior.

"Today, this jury has shown that what the #MeToo movement is saying is that women are worthy of being believed," Lili Bernard, one of the accusers, said in emotional remarks after the verdict was announced. "It is a victory for all sexual assault survivors -- female and male."

After the verdict was announced Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele asked the judge to revoke Cosby's bail over concerns he would flee from authorities "to any place. He has a plane."

The claim prompted Cosby, who did not testify during the trial, to lash out at Steele, reportedly roaring "He doesn't have a plane, you [expletive]!"

“Enough of that,” said Judge Steven O'Neill, as he then allowed Cosby to remain free on bail ahead of sentencing, but confined him to his suburban home and ordered him to surrender his passport.