Bill Cosby on Wednesday, was released from prison in less than two hours after his sexual assault conviction from 2018 was overturned by the Pennsylvania’s highest court, saying his due process rights were violated in the first major case of the #MeToo era. The comedian case was one of the first major cases in the Me Too era after more than 50 women across the nation have accused Mr. Cosby of sexual assault and drugging.
Mr. Cosby is now set free after he served for three years of a three- to 10-year following his conviction in 2018.
A correction department spokesperson said TOI that, Cosby, 83, was released from a state prison in Shippack, Pennsylvania before 2:30 p.m. Cosby made an appearance for the media outside his stately stone mansion in Elkins Park in Philadelphia suburb on Wednesday afternoon. The comedian was seen wearing short sleeved shirt and was walking slowly, as he was helped inside by a spokesperson and his lawyer. As soon as he reached towards the front door of his house Cosby flased a ‘V’ sign that indicates peace.
The comedian and actor gained the popularity and is best known for his role as the lovable husband and father in the television comedy series of 1980s that is “The Cosby Show,” after which he received the nickname as “America’s Dad.”
The high reputation of the comedian was worn out after abundance of women made the accusations on the actor for sexual assault over decades.
Cosby’s conviction crisis were widely seen in the #MeToo movement after multiple allegations were made on the comedian.
The Hollywood star was found guilty his employee Andrea Constand made the allegations against Cosby of drugging and molesting her at his alma mater Temple University, in his home in 2004. The allegations made by Andrea were not too old to allow for criminal charges against Cosby.
The charges that were filed against Cosby in 2015 by Kevin Steele the attorney from Montgomery County district, issued a statement stating that a jury found Cosby guilty and that Wednesday’s decision was not relied on the facts of the case.
Kevin stated that “My hope is that this decision will not dampen the reporting of sexual assaults by victims,” “We still believe that no one is above the law- including those who are rich, famous and powerful.”
The instantaneous reaction of the women involved in #MeToo movement expressed their views on the shocking decision made by the court.
Lawyer Lisa Bloom that was representing some of the accusers from the Cosby’s case told CNN that she was “absolutely disgusted and shocked” by the decision.
Meanwhile, Cosby’s co-star from ‘The Cosby Show’ stated,” celebrated the ruling for correcting “a miscarriage of Justice.”
Ms. Constand in a statement with her lawyer about the Wednesday court ruiling stated that, “Today’s majority decision regarding Bill Cosby is not only disappointing but of concern in that it may discourage those who seek justice for sexual assault in the criminal justice system from reporting or participating in the prosecution of the assailant or may force a victim to choose between filing either a criminal or civil action.”
Patricia Leary Steuer that was assaulted by Cosby in late 1970s also came forward and showed her anger post the release of Cosby from the Prision. Steuer told CNN that, “I’m wondering what the purpose was of the 43 years of this ordeal and the trauma that I had and the trauma that my family endured as a result.”
“I’m comforted that we did the best we could because we came forward and told the truth. In the end that was the only power we had in this situation.” She continued.
Showering her anger on the criminal justice system, she said, “I’m also angry that the laws in the system is devised in such a way that it favors powerful and wealthy people, and in this particular instance, a powerful and wealthy man, and that needs to change,”
“I hope this won’t discourage people. It is a discouraging message to sexual assault survivors, I hope it won’t because in the end all you can do is come forward and tell the truth, said Steuer.
