Cosby charged with sexually assaulting Ontario woman in 2004
Maryclaire Dale, The Associated Press
Published Wednesday, December 30, 2015 9:56AM EST
Last Updated Wednesday, December 30, 2015 11:44AM EST
NORRISTOWN, Pa. -- Bill Cosby was charged Wednesday with sexually assaulting an Ontario woman at his home 12 years ago -- the first criminal charges brought against the comedian out of the torrent of allegations that destroyed his good-guy image as America's Dad.
The case sets the stage for perhaps the biggest Hollywood celebrity trial of the mobile-all-the-time era and could send the 78-year-old Cosby to prison in the twilight of his life.
The woman at the centre of the case is Andrea Constand, a Toronto massage therapist who was a Temple University employee in Pennsylvania at the time of the alleged assault.
She told police that Cosby drugged her and violated her by putting his hands down her pants at his mansion in suburban Philadelphia in 2004, but no charges were initially laid.
On Wednesday, Cosby was charged with aggravated indecent assault, punishable by five to 10 years behind bars and a $25,000 fine.
Prosecutors accused him of rendering Constand unable to resist by plying her with pills and wine, then penetrating her with his fingers without her consent, when she was unconscious or unaware of what was happening.
She was "frozen, paralyzed, unable to move," Montgomery County District Attorney-elect Kevin Steele said in announcing the charge. He urged any other alleged victims to come forward as well.
The charge was laid just days before the 12-year statute of limitations for bringing charges was set to run out.
More here:
Bill Cosby charged with sexually assaulting a woman 12 years ago; comedian could face prison | Entertainment & Showbiz from CTV News
Maryclaire Dale, The Associated Press
Published Wednesday, December 30, 2015 9:56AM EST
Last Updated Wednesday, December 30, 2015 11:44AM EST
NORRISTOWN, Pa. -- Bill Cosby was charged Wednesday with sexually assaulting an Ontario woman at his home 12 years ago -- the first criminal charges brought against the comedian out of the torrent of allegations that destroyed his good-guy image as America's Dad.
The case sets the stage for perhaps the biggest Hollywood celebrity trial of the mobile-all-the-time era and could send the 78-year-old Cosby to prison in the twilight of his life.
The woman at the centre of the case is Andrea Constand, a Toronto massage therapist who was a Temple University employee in Pennsylvania at the time of the alleged assault.
She told police that Cosby drugged her and violated her by putting his hands down her pants at his mansion in suburban Philadelphia in 2004, but no charges were initially laid.
On Wednesday, Cosby was charged with aggravated indecent assault, punishable by five to 10 years behind bars and a $25,000 fine.
Prosecutors accused him of rendering Constand unable to resist by plying her with pills and wine, then penetrating her with his fingers without her consent, when she was unconscious or unaware of what was happening.
She was "frozen, paralyzed, unable to move," Montgomery County District Attorney-elect Kevin Steele said in announcing the charge. He urged any other alleged victims to come forward as well.
The charge was laid just days before the 12-year statute of limitations for bringing charges was set to run out.
More here:
Bill Cosby charged with sexually assaulting a woman 12 years ago; comedian could face prison | Entertainment & Showbiz from CTV News
