One of the many variables in the discussion about Mr. Cosby’s behavior was the effect Quaaludes had on women’s sexual experience. During much of the era discussed in the many articles in the NYT Quaaludes were in very high demand – not as a sleep aid but to heighten women’s sexual experience. The demand was so extreme that the FDA eventually pulled it from the market. The occult reasoning behind the use of Quaaludes was that women are passive receptacles and should not enjoy sex.
During this time I was a medical provider and received repeated requests for a prescription for Quaaludes as a sleep aid. After several years those requests decreased because the supply through the black market was easier and cheaper than getting them through their primary care providers. I have never met Mr. Cosby but I suspect that he was able to obtain Quaaludes and had developed a reputation within his sphere of influence as a source for them.
The above is not meant as a condemnation of or support for Mr. Cosby but I am appalled that the NYT failed to include this part of the seemingly extensive narrative about Mr. Cosby and his relationship to his accusers.
Sincerely,
Michael Springer
3
Did I miss something? Violent? OK, I can hear the uproar now that any assault, including emotional, has degrees of violence associated. As a woman I've experienced a lifetime of cultural mysogyny and inappropriate sexual onslaught. And yes, it has elements of violence. But labeling Cosby a sexually VIOLENT predator" places him with those that do serious bodily harm; details we don't want visited here. I love the #MeToo movement. But where are the degrees of injury and degrees of justice?
5
A publicist for Mr. Cosby, Andrew Wyatt, decried the verdict outside the courtroom, calling the proceedings “the most racist and sexist trial in the history of the United States.”
Bill Cosby transcended race. Cosby lived and was treated like royalty. The man is probably close to a billionare. He committed sexual crimes against women and believed that he was Bill Cosby America's dad and couldn't be touched by innuendo or the law. Guess when you have a billion dollars you can pay a lot of people off. But why keep repeating the same behavior and pay people to defend you or keep quiet. He's a sick guy with a big head. I also think that his wife Camille was complicit in his crimes. She knew what he was all about, but probably didn't want to give up her lifestyle and the title of Mrs. Bill Cosby. I hope that Andrea Costand and the other victims get some solace from Cosby's conviction.
7
This situation echos a similar fall for another idolized celebrity, O.J. Simpson. Idolizing another human being is probably a bad idea because we never know whether they have a dark side. Even priests and bishops have become examples of infamous lives.
3
An incredible fall from grace. I feel for anyone associated with Cosby’s work through the years because they will be unfairly tainted by his crimes.
4
This should have been reported and prosecuted after the first attempt. We try to tout our civilized way of life in the US yet this sort of thing is tolerated far too often.
2
Next - President Donald John Trump.
3
His legacy is that sad mug shot. Looking totally defeated.
I wonder if any of the other women victims are going to take a shot in civil court. Ms Cosby should get a divorce asap, before the whole estate is gone to pay off judgements. As long as they are still married, judgements against him are also judgements against her.
3
I cannot understand all the people saying "tragedy" "poor Bill Cosby" "this is so sad" go and ask the woman he drugged and raped if they feel the same way. He got off lightly in my opinion. Eighty or eighteen it doesn't matter rape is rape and you must pay.
8
@Scrumper
He escaped for so long because of his celebrity; his wholesome image and supposed mentorship/advice to young people, making accusations seem less believable; his money; and the fact that his earlier assaults were at a period in which it was much more difficult to have authorities prosecute offenders.
Some of the commenters seem to be reacting to his TV character as if it were real. He is not, and never was, the type of person he portrayed. Yes, he did practice philanthropy and like other humans is a mixture of good and bad. But “sad?” Tragic character? No. He deserved the sentence he got.
7
Yes, the criminal justice system "works", but, as is usually the case, once again it's better at convicting black men than white men. Cosby is despicable, but white dude after white dude after white dude after white dude has been exposed in me-too -- none of them is in jail, many are planning their comebacks, and one of them may land on the Supreme Court. We've still got a lot of work to do on a number of fronts to make this a just country.
2
This case was first brought to the attention of prosecutors in 2005. They at first declined to prosecute. Only after the victim won her case in Civil Court and dozens of other women came forward did they decide to prosecute Mr. Cosby. All those White men you have been hearing about have been within the past eighteen months. The wheels of justice are slow. Let’s not make this a race thing when it took thirteen years and two trials to convict the man.
1
Like so many I was a big BIll Cosby fan, starting with Why Is There Air? thru I Spy to the Huxtable family years. When I worked in the casino industry in the 80's I heard a rumor about him from someone in a position to know something personal, that "he is not nice to women," but my co-workers and I were dismissive of it - Bill Cosby? Impossible!
Now, in addition to feeling the anger and dismay that followed his unmasking as a violent sexual predator, I shake my head at his audacity in creating Dr. Huxtable as a gynecologist. He put it right in front of all of us and dared us to discover and believe it. Diabolical.
8
Powerful,rich and famous men should stand up and take notice:Just because you are powerful,rich and famous doesn't give the right to use women as you please.It doesn't matter how powerful,rich and famous or even how old you are. You will get caught.
2
Cosby is an actor. He played a wholesome dad. The effect of this was to provide political cover for what he truly was, a sexual predator.
His acting skills paid off more than in financial wealth, the skills kept him out of prison until near the end of his life: how else could he have convincingly gotten away with such behavior for so many years?
5
Cosby was a comedic genius and I had great respect for the message he had for African Americans but it cannot erase the fact that he was also a monster in his private life. Cosby should not receive any special consideration because of his age or health. Guilty is guilty....end of story. Whatever is wrong with society's handling of cases involving people of color should not be a factor in the conviction of and sentencing of this proven life long predator.
3
I would like all other high profile , powerful sexual predators -media moguls, senators, you name it esp. white male be brought to justice.
Race should not play a role when it's comes sexual crimes.
9
Again, we have another tragic moment in history, black history, that is, which another black man is going to jail. Historically, the sexual expressions of black man have and foremost been highly political and demonized. It took, yet again, another white woman to claim damaged by a black man to be pulled in the center of attention, and to then, have Cosby examined like an animal. Let me remind you whom we are putting in prison, a man who was the one that made it possible for Dr. King (the only historical figure that white folks seem to be comfortable in publicizing)--to give his "I have a dream speech," that, as a child grew up seeing Cosby changing the representation of black men on tv.
Ironically, this man's own identity is forever boiled down to (yet again) another black man seeing his consequences catering to a white male patriarchy social structure system that has, and will continuously be fearful of black male sexuality. So no, I do not believe that this is justice. I see this as a public lynching. How many times do we need to look at situations like this through the eyes of those who have historically, and even still today, demonized our sexuality, and too often very quick to put us in jail? I think it is about time that we can say, this time, I do not buy it. Instead of prison, why not make him give his time to his community. Because we still need Cosby, we need him and the rest of those few influential men who have done right by the black community.
4
I can understand the profound disappointment when someone so seemingly stellar of character falls, but your anger and blame is misdirected. This assault which resulted in this trial did not reflect an isolated incident; Bill Cosby was a predator for over 50 plus years according to over 30 women who have also come forward.
The blame lies with Cosby for he alone is responsible. It’s his actions that have now and will forever cast shadows over anything positive he ever accomplished, and that’s the shame.
7
Exactly no one mentions the good this man did for the black community. His money and time was dedicated to their advancement. I think of all the black colleges and institutions that he used to donate to and now that funding will be gone.
1
The man is a sexual predator, and could strike again and at any time (as confirmed by the psychologist). He is a danger to our community and should not be allowed to roam freely. Doing so is foolish as would put us in danger should he strike again. He needs to remain behind bars.
3
My hope is Doctor Cosby instructs his fellow inmates on the proper way to dress and speak, as he was wont to do in civilian life. I'm sure the other prisoners will be very receptive to the wisdom Doctor Cosby has to offer.
4
Bill Cosby gave Ms. Costand Benadryl, with or without her consent, to relax her? Come on. Talk about an example of power and control!
3
The headline says it all. Things are not always what they appear.
That is precisely why Brett Kavanaugh probably did what Dr. Blasey
alleges. His choir boy persona can easily mask his inner demons.
3
I understand the ramification and am disappointed by Mr Cosby's actions, I am truly worried that we will never know the true scope of these alleged actions. Let me be clear, I will not blame a victim for standing up for themselves, but there needs to be a better and more efficient way to have these victims feel safe and confident to provide the scope of their assault at the time of the assault. Again, I am disappointed by the actions alleged against Mr. Cosby, but how can I truly judge Mr. Cosby about accounts that happened 30 years ago?
1
These accounts happened in 2004, not 30 years ago that might help. You also could read the deposition in the civil suit where Mr Cosby admits to giving drugs to women in order to soften them up for sex “like you would use wine.”
2
"Model of fatherhood" was his act, not reality.
13
This was a political hit because Bill Cosby was saying publicly what a lot of black people felt. He dared to veer off and question the so called liberal tactics that were being used in black communities.
Cosby's message resonated and putting him in jail won't change that. There is a lot of anger in black communities on being sold out by democrats. Even now Hillary Clinton is being brought into NJ in the hope she can help Menendez reach black voters. It won't help because even she lost many voters, including black women.
This jailing and racist target on Bill Cosby is going to make it worse. Especially when white pedophiles and rapists are walking around free with the lame technicalities. The anger over this and the looming backlash is underestimated.
6
@Hellen
That whites may be getting away with it doesn't make it right. Is it your point to let Cosby off the hook because whites may be getting away with similar offenses? Don't you think that whites should be put in prison too?
7
Glad to see justice being done---finally. My only hope is he has to serve all 10 years and die in prison which would be justice for those whose lives he ruined. There should be no statute of limitations for sexual assault and rape since it affects their victims for their entire lives. I can only hope that Bill Clinton finally is made to pay for his assaults on women all the while like Cosby thinking he was above the law.
3
Only children and fools believe in role models, icons, father figures, heroes, and visionaries. Humans experienced in the onslaughts of life know better. A great pity these people don't impart this wisdom onto the credulous.
6
I can't wait until Trump is carried off in the same way.
12
I find it sad that commenters are expressing such glee that another black man is being incarcerated. Should we not be concerned with rehabilitation? All I read about is a rabid mob seeking only revenge.
5
@RMA
The racism is very evident and from many who claim to be liberal. This is why democrats are losing black votes.
3
@RMA this case has nothing to do with race, whatsoever. it is too bad certain commenters are overlooking the totality of this case, as it has come to light and been reviewed for years.
2
@RMA I find it sad that people think this has to do with racism. He ADMITTED to giving women quaaludes for sex. He incriminated himself. Who cares what color his skin is? And most men accused in the #MeToo movement happen to be WHITE. Enough already. And I say this as the offspring of an African man.
3
Good riddance.
3
Does anyone else see the irony in the fact that his TV character was an OBGYN doctor?
9
Several question still haunt me, why did these young women feel it OK to go back to a man's hotel room? What were they thinking? Were they looking for career advancement? I don't give a fig what his reputation as "America's Dad" was, a women no matter what age does not go into a man's hotel room. Quite frankly the man as frail as he is probably won't last more than a year in jail.
6
@Margo Channing - please finish the sentence - "a woman no matter what age does not go into a man's hotel room...BECAUSE"? Because why? Because a man can rape you? And that's what, just par for the course, just the way men are, just the way it is? Because, you know, men can't control themselves and such? And you are fine with that line of thinking, not realizing that it perpetuates rape culture?
8
Why would someone put themselves in harms way alone with a man that is offering pills specifically a muscle relaxer? Women are smarter than this and should not be questioning why one should not place themselves in these circumstances. For clarity it is the same reason a male doctor does not examine a female patient alone. Anything could happen and it is your word against the other person’s word.
2
@vmur
I asked a simple few questions. As a woman I wouldn't go to a man's hotel room, a man that I don't really know well. I wouldn't accept pills from a man either. It's perpetuating nothing. I', asking women to take control of their lives and to have them use reasonable good judgment not to place themselves in a situation they can't get out of. Why must women be thought of as victims? Unless you want women to be victims the rest of their lives.
2
While we are pleased as punch because Bill Cosby is being punished, we avert our eyes, excusing horrid sanctimonious phonies like Brett Kavanaugh.
Both have used money, power, and prestige to hide mental illness, but we are eager to believe the white man, not the black.
5
Cosby was never a model of fatherhood. He was always the slime-ball that he is now. It was just the fake news from NYT and other liberal press that portrayed him as such and continue to do so after conviction.
5
Bill Cosby is innocent; he was set up
3
A black man goes to jail for sexual predation and a white man gets elected President for sexual predation. Welcome to America!
9
Three years? He is probably on his way to SCI Camp Hill, but only for classification. After that he'll either go to SCI Somerset, home of Jerry Sandusky, but more likely SCI Laurel Highlands, which houses geriatrics, and is basically a cheap motel. There are two parallel justice systems in the U.S., one for the rich, one for everyone else.
4
There are many more people who called themselves priests, Hollywood star makers, music leaders dance leaders the list goes on. We need to look at ourselves in the mirror and wonder why there is this plague on this country? Is it because we want to win at all costs, we want to be bullies? Hollywood action films,racism,overall hate for everyone? Right now we have Kavanaugh on his way to the Supreme Court, we should be calling our politicians telling them the correct way to vote. Those old white GOP men should be put in their place they represent women and need to listen to women. As Americans we should be standing up for the rights of all women. However we are putting minority children in cages and separating them from their mothers because the culture in America is that women are second rate people. This war has just begun and we need to keep our eyes on the prize, rights for all. Kavanaugh can not go to the Supreme Court because he is far more dangerous than anyone suspects.
Trump is playing everyone's dad on the world stage his history past and current is driven by hate for everyone other than himself and especially for women.
Get on the trains and go to Washington and take stand because the evils of Mr. Cosby are the tip of the iceberg for what else is in store for us when all of these conservative old white men become the majority. Where will our rights be then?
6
If Cosby was from NY or D.C., he would have made it to the Supreme Court, or at least run for President!
We Pennsylvanians believe in cruel and unusual punishment. We put him in prison instead.
2
Retirement in the slammer.
Meanwhile, Kavanaugh, faced with an avalanche of women who say he took advantage of them, may end up on the Supreme Court.
And still no Equal Rights Amendment.
9
Next up: Hollywood Harvey.
5
wouldn't it be nice to just never hear anything more about him?
3
The final Fat Albert episode: Fat Albert Goes to Jail. I have watched and admired Bill Cosby my whole life. I used to borrow his comedy records from my local library when I was a kid. I watched Fat Albert every Saturday like so many folks my age. And I enjoyed the Cosby Show along with millions of other Americans. At first I could not believe the initial accusations against him. I was in good company at least. But when accusation after accusation came up and the stories were so eerily familiar, it became clear it could only be true. Oh, how the mighty have fallen!
2
Not lost on anyone is that we have one sexual predator going to prison, one sexual predator in the Whitehouse, and one sexual predator being elevated to the Supreme Court. Bill Cosby was evaluated by a psychologist to have a personality disorder that drove him to rape women. That diagnosis did not bode well for the actor, since it meant he would never change and be dangerous to his death. But what of Trump and Kavanaugh? Shouldn’t they be evaluated by a psychologist? If the doctor determined them to have dangerous personality disorders, should their fate be any different than Cosby’s? Of course they are white men.
5
Cosby's defense team requested leniency due to his advanced age and physical infirmity. I say, enough leniency! He has experienced decades of the leniency that comes from getting away with being a serial rapist. Now we should say "Congratulations, Mr. Cosby, you were able to evade justice well into old age! Now there is no price to pay, well done!"
Harvey, enjoy the freedom you have now, because you're next.
4
Should have been 30 years sentence. No parole after 3 years, Cosby should serve 10 years in prison. Cosby should also be financially destroyed in the active civil lawsuits against him.
Weinstein should be next in prison for his rapes and sexual assaults. He should be financially destroyed also.
Trump should be held accountable for his sexual assaults.
Kavanaugh should not only be denied SCOTUS seat, he should be impeached as Federal Circuit Court Judge and disbarred for perjury.
Thomas should be impeached as SCOTUS Justice - for committing perjury in denying sexual harassment.
For every 1000 rapes in this country, only 300 are reported, only 6 rapists or 0.6% go to jail.
It is very long overdue for there to be real consequences for rape, sexual assault and sexual harassment.
3
I wish that he was much younger so he could serve a longer sentence...why can't these men get a date, or two even, but by consent..this is just illness, plain and simple..and with a President who has such disregard towards woman, a message has been sent to the world that we are still able to do the right thing..This November will be the time for woman to rise and remind us all about decency and the rule of law!
2
Well if we can punish men for sex crimes from the past then I say we should also punish the descendants of slave owners. Also, take the wealth and divide it among all the descendants of the black female slaves that were raped. That sound fair to all the people saying that it is about time these guys get their comeuppance.
4
Cosby did the crime. Can you understand the difference?
5
I think there is a difference between prosecuting someone for a crime they committed, as opposed to prosecuting them for a crime their great great grandfather committed.
5
Nope a past sex crime is a past sex crime. We can’t get the sexual predators of the past then go after their descendants. After all that “old money” they made during slavery benefits their descendants to this day. I mean you all want to go after Cosby’s wife and his assets then why can’t the descendants of these raped slave women do the same. What is the difference?
2
Great that Mr. Cosby will finally begin, and only begin to pay his debt to society. Now we need to determine what is going to happen to the police departments out there that continue to discourage women courageous enough to come forward from going through with their sexual assault/rape cases. Today the battle was won, but the war is far from over.
18
The police? Forget it.
In the 90’s when I finally told a family member what my stepfather had been doing to my sister and me for years I was asked if I wanted to go to the police - NYPD. I said, “I know how they treat the victims, I’m not putting myself through that” plus I was also pretty sure my mother would support him, not me - that was true although he did admit it to her. She stayed with him anyway.
Later, after a date rape in 2011 I decided on my own to go to the NYPD - I’d had enough of being flashed on the street, on the subway, growing up with abuse and it was the second date rape. I was interrogated by this make detective for almost two hours and in tears sobbing until <<another>> detective finally made him stop. The detective kept asking me why there were phone calls showing on the records he pulled: the word “date” before rape might have been the clue but I’m not the cop. No female officer ever brought into the room.
The previous date rape I didn’t have to go to the precinct. Want to know why? It happened as a result of meeting someone working in the auto body shop owned by a retired cop. I told my friend (another cop, active and high ranking) he called his friend the shop owner who called me (he had my car, was repairing it, that’s how/why I encountered this person) to clarify what happened, then guy was fired.
Next call I got was from NYPD victims services to set me up for free counseling, ONLY BECAUSE I KNEW THESE TWO COPS otherwise, forget it.
4
Working with people in prison and coming out of prison convinced me that prison is a remedy that should be used sparingly, when necessary to contain people who can't be safely managed in the community. There are more cost-effective ways to control people and penalties that would invoke far less public sympathy than putting an 81 year old in state prison.
9
@wynterstail
Though I can agree with your premise, I am of the opinion that this man deserves multiple life sentences. I am not even slightly sympathetic to his fall from grace. My heart goes out to the multiple victims of his deranged behaviors. A mere 3 to 10 years hardly works as a public deterrent. Some will say that this sentence is for all intents and purposes a life sentence. Should he survive and get out early for good behavior, how is that suppose to make his victims feel.
25
Cosby reminds me of the introduction to the old radio show, The Shadow. It went "What evil lurks in the heart of men......the Shadow knows".
Given his age, one wonders how long he will remain incarcerated, and under what conditions. It would not surprise me if, perhaps legitimately, he spends most of his time in a hospital.
Regardless of age, he deserves all he gets. He seems to display zero remorse, and the multiple women with similar stories leave little doubt that Cosby was a serial predator who abused his power and status.
He has a home/compound in Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts. Before the word started coming out on the evil lurking in his heart, Cosby was a respected member of the community, and contributed to many local causes. There are several bronze plaques around town listing him as a sponsor of some public project or another. Now a local embarrassment. Wonder if the plaques will be taken down.
12
Oh yes the plaques will have to come down. no one who does bad is capable of doing anything good. that's the way it goes in america.
1
What purpose does it serve to keep this story alive? It's over. Can we move on?
3
You miss the point; forgetting about things likes these lets these animals continue attacking women. Men that feel that they rule women seem to need constant reminders that their actions are unacceptable in our society for crying out loud our president has been accused by 15 women of sexual assaults
1
Alabama, for the victim of a rape, it's never "over", and extremely difficult to,"move on".
1
So the fact that years have elapsed since this crime took place is irrelevant when it comes to Bill Cosby it is of utmost importance to those defending Kavanaugh. Cosby was an entertainer. Kavanaugh wants to be a Supreme Court judge. Cosby is black. Kavanaugh is white. Cosby is a liberal. Kavanaugh a conservative.
Double standards galore. At the very least Kavanaugh should be denied the Supreme Court seat until the accusations against him are proven false, and if proven true, denied a seat on any bench.
Jeez, the corruption behind American politics is just destroying this nation.
38
I remember seeing him one night at a burger place on the upper east side picking up some take out. He walked to the back, mugging for the patrons with his patented Bill Cosby mannerisms, and I felt so fortunate to live in a city where I had minor interactions with people such as him in my daily life. Who could have dreamed that underneath his persona was a monster? Certainly not me.
2
The defense lawyer's focus on whether or not Mr. Cosby is a danger to the community is empty. Prison is also, perhaps mainly, punishment for deeds done (and rehab, where possible).
2
“Hopefully it sends a message to other celebrities, to the rich, the powerful, the famous, that to drug and assault women is no joke,” Trump?
13
@Mike Why does everyone try to forget Bill Clinton and the many women who came forward to accuse him? Why does he get a pass?
2
And still his lawyers claim he's the victim. I don't know who's the bigger sleaze, Cosby or his lawyers?
21
Would this case have had the same ending if Cosby were not an uppity black man? It would be nice to see white wealthy men pursued with the same vigor and venom. Instead they are elevated to the White House and Supreme Court.
24
@Maureen Steffek
Rubbish, Harvey Weinstein has yet to go to trial. Let's wait and see shall we?
1
Remember the defense claims that poor Phil Spector would die if he was sent to prison, he was so frail/sick/whatever?
Still in jail. Still not dead.
15
Bill Cosby was convicted by a movement. The fact that so many women are celebrating his conviction even when they don’t know him or any of his accusers is evidence of that.
3
And what dies it matter if they know him he is a sick abuser full stop he was convicted and has to face the consequences now why does it matter if I “know him” because he is famous he should get away with it?
2
Yes. We are celebrating the conviction of a rapist.
4
Why is everyone so shocked that this "wonderful man" turned out to be a predator? The whole sordid tale testifies to the danger of conflating the persona of the character (fiction) with the personality of the actor (reality). Cosby is not and never was the great dad that he played. That was a fantasy.
10
@John Binkley I tire of the ""I'm not surprised" type of comment. The whole world was surprised, not because of TV image, but because he did do admirable deeds in his life.
8
I'd rather my taxes dont to go toward paying for his 3-10 year confinement. Just put him in with the general population and don't have the guards intervene to protect him. He would be dead within minutes, but at least his last moments on earth would be filled with terror.
3
Outrageous headline!
Cosby was never a model of fatherhood.
His FICTIONAL character was.
Get a grip
31
Some very powerful people in Hollywood and the entertainment industry in general have been allowing this type of behavior to go one for years. And years. Cosby belongs in jail. Oh how the mighty fall.
10
When will Trump and Kavanaugh will be granted the Super-elite, Stable Genius Sexual Predators?
Lock them up, too.
17
Will never happen, sad.
Seriously people … why are you so focused on the settlement? Why are you so eager to blame her for something?
15 years ago, she tried to get a prosecution but those in charge wouldn’t do it. So she sought justice elsewhere. That’s not immoral or illegal, unlike drugging and raping people.
Now, let’s hear from his costars on Cosby and the execs at NBC. So we think there’s nothing there?
7
@Angelus Ravenscroft
I think he hit on Lisa Bonet (Denise Huxtable) she kept quiet. His side of that bargain? Create a spinoff series starring her and he exec. producer. Hence the series "A Different World". Apparently no one from the series at least those that played his daughters have spoken up.
2
Bill Cosby was never this African American father’s role model for fatherhood. I saw through his skillfully crafted public persona long ago. I weep for his victims and I view him with contempt and disgust. Most African American fathers that I know don’t deserve society’s low opinion of us.
32
The saddest piece of the whole sordid affair is Mrs. Cosby's staunch defense, charging racism and other untoward acts against her husband. I knew her through the Children's center and she is a stand up person, so I hate seeing her degrade herself when he is so obviously guilty of sexual misconduct on a large scale.
18
legal doctrine of implausibility?
really? that is the new legal standard: so many people said it, it had to be true.
like the witches in salem.
I know there was the deposition transcript. but still...
legal doctrine of implausibility?
in a court of law?
in the USA?
that is rich.
6
I also hate what he did, but I have sympathy for him as a human being. The victim in this case, gets an opportunity to walk away and make a life for herself. Mr. Cosby at 81 years old, may die in prison from another inmate or via stroke or heart attack. Mr. Cosby's crime doesn't deserve a death sentence, which the determination of Judge O'Neill.
BTW, when will DJT, Mr. Weinstein and Judge Kavanaugh be given the justice system that they deserve, given that no one is above the law... Or are they?
8
Dying in prison and being sentenced to death are two completely different things. Let's leave concern for Cosby's comfort to another day, shall we?
17
@Rita Harris Mr. Cosby's crimes - plural - have appropriately and finally landed him in prison. It is he who delayed the judgement to this day, and he deserved a longer sentence. I hope Weinstein and all the others do receive what they deserve.
21
@Rita Harris
He shows no remorse. In my mind, his crimes of the past are ongoing.
10
“[The judge] said that so many women had come forward to accuse Mr. Cosby of sexual abuse that it had become implausible to find that it wasn’t true.” Not to defend Cosby, but this logic is deeply flawed. At a given time and context, you can find a lot of men or women swearing they have seen UFOs or witnessed witchcraft, but it doesn’t make UFO or witchcraft any more plausible. Some legal procedures are created to prevent such context-dependant bias.
9
@Fan In many cases like this people ask for definitive proof? What might that be? Pictures? Video? If more than 80 women come forward from different nationalities, walks of life you have to ask yourself that certain "proof" won't be available/ It's a preponderance of evidence. He lost.
3-10 years is a light sentence. This is what money buys you in the criminal justice system of America. However, at least he will serve some time. Let him be imprisoned like he imprisoned Andrea Constand. But what about all the other victims? Will their be no trials for them, no vindication, no time served on those crimes?
What I still don't get, is how these powerful men, had to force themselves on women, when being in a position of power is often seen, as an aphrodisiac. Not that it should be.
3
If only Constand could have afforded $750-per-hour lawyers like Cosby's.
5
Do the crime...do the time.
Don't feel sorry for him.
He didn't have to do what he did.
Cosby will be fine, and his vision will magically return in prison.
And he should work like every other prisoner.
15
@Quandry I wonder if sex with multiple inert women was worth 3 years in prison.
A missed opportunity. Bill Cosby spent years creating what we mourn as a lost legacy of decency and the values to which we aspire, including to the African American community. It is truly sad that he did not have the courage and humility to step forward as a true man, and be accountable to his past; to reaffirm the values he stood for, and own up to violating them. What modeling that would be!
6
Goes to show, You never can tell, until the women who were molested speak out.
Molesters are experts at coming across as decent and caring, they fool many, but then..........their con game ends, and another victim is added to their filthy ways.
7
What a week. A black man is going to prison for sexual assault. A privileged white man may not get a promotion after committing sexual assault. Double standard?
22
terrific point; both committed multiple anal rapes as reported by multiple sites including the daily Kos. But only one, the man of color is jailed? Why is this? Identical crimes and one is in jail? Why is this?
3
@fearofretribution
The Kavanaugh matter isn't over until its over. No statute of limitations on rape in Maryland where it happened. Still,doubtful he will get prosecuted and still possible he will get his Supreme Court seat, but that is getting shakier. If he goes down, the ignominy will have to be shared with Clarence Thomas who should have also gone down in flames.
Oh, and the comparison between Kavanaugh and Cosby doesn't stand up to scrutiny. Cosby's misdeeds appear to be much more far reaching, although we have only scratched the surface of Kavanaugh at this moment.
5
@fearofretribution
Don't muddy the water by bringing race into this. A criminal is a criminal and should get the punishment he/she deserves.
8
So, are we still allowed to watch The Cosby Show?
1
Good riddance to bad rubbish. This should have happened years ago.
16
If Cosby actually drugged and raped those women, he deserves his fate.
Andrea Constand and her Mom extorted more than 100K from Bill Cosby following the incident so I can’t look at her as 100% innocent. Had she pressed charges immediately and not taken any money, she’d be more credible.
If Cosby would have granted her 1 million more cash would she have even open her parched mouth?
I feel really sad for Cosby and even more sad if it’s true.
7
The most sexist and racist trial in the history of the country? Seriously? How disrespectful.
12
All the women who are brave to come forward and expose these violent sex predators are heroes. I would like to see President Trump now get on trial for women abuse. As long as he is above the law in the White House the congress and senators will keep abusing the women. Why because he got away with his crime they can to.
9
This is the way the world ends for Bill Cosby, not with a bang, but a whimper and the sound of 'cuffs clicking. (In front, no less. Better optics)
Apologies to T. S. Eliot
9
Does she have to give back the $3.4 million now?
6
No matter what happens next, the judge wants him to serve time behind bars. In prison to feel the pain and suffering he inflicted on others. He is a beast no matter his physical condition.
9
I have a thorough and sincere empathy for Cosby's victims.
I am glad he was caught, tried, and convicted.
But for a man of his stature, resources, and intelligence to commit the crimes he did can only be the result of sickness.
Isn't it our duty as a society, and as citizens, to recognize the difference between simple criminality, and pathology?
Putting him in a public stockade and throwing apples at him may be fun, but it does not make us better as a people. This would apply to Mr. Trump as well, who is obviously a sick man; (although in his case maybe one little apple...)
5
@Sera So rich and famous people are "sick" and deserve special treatment and bear no responsibility for their crimes, while ordinary people deserve to be punished. Got it. I wasn't aware money took away your volition.
4
If he'd just chosen to be a decent human being he'd be known as one of the greatest and most talented people of all time.
11
@Jora Lebedev What? No, he wouldn't. He has no special gifts and was never anyone's choice of a really great comic. He's just a man.
2
Tempting as it is to feel bad for him, he has still never acknowledged any wrongdoing or apologized. This takes a serious lack of morality.
14
Take heart, Bill. I hear they serve puddin' in the joint almost every Sunday!
9
Very sad that no comedian, entertainer has come to Cosby's defense. Guess they are all afraid of #ME TOO. Expected Bob Dylan, who came up at the same time as Cosby,late 1950's, appeared on stage in the same cafes in the old Greenwich Village should have said something in his defense, but assume that he is cowed too, and fears having his own career damaged. Believe that #Me Too movement and practice of blaming men for events which occurred generations ago, and are automatically given credence because the women are liberals and the men conservatives like Judge Kavanaugh will reach its apogee, its apex sooner rather than later,that we can dispense with identify politics, and just get back to being nice to each other. But far left is intent on keeping the pot stirring, and the more hatred that can be shown towards men--witness the odious remarks of the senator from Hawaii--the better it is from a political standpoint.But once again, the reluctance of not even ONE comedian, one entertainer to come to Cosby's defense is evidence of a moral "lachete,"Where ARE his defenders?After all, show me one woman who does not know what a man has in mind when he invites her to his hotel suite?And why are accusers given the benefit of the doubt rather than the accused?Confirm Judge Kavanaugh!
8
Yes, what a blot on Bob Dylan's escutcheon. And only you have managed to point that out!
3
So you would doubt your daughter's, sister's, mother's, wife's claims of sexual assault? How about if they only told you of it years later? Would it make a difference to you if the person they named as the assaulter was a prominent, powerful, rich man or just a regular type guy with little money or connections? If not, why not afford these women the same consideration?
1
@Larry D: Have never read or heard of the word, "escutcheon,"so I will have to look it up. Do not know whether you are being sarcastic or not, perhaps just perhaps, but how ironical that Dylan, who was singing about peace, love, struggle against racial injustice in his heyday, long past, is now silent when a true miscarriage of justice has occurred, which is the destruction of a man, his family and reputation. Always said that at the end of the day all 1 has left is his reputation, but the lack of solidarity from his fellow entertainers is regrettable.Does anyone doubt that his accuseur(s)did not see dollar signs when they attacked Cosby and took him to court, and 1 would have to be quite naive if 1 did not suspect that reason he was inviting them back to his hotel suite was for sex. African American community views the treatment of Cosby in the press and the courts as evidence of bigotry and racism. Gloria Alred is white, is she not, and vast majority of those surrounding her in her impromptu press conference were white as well. A few African American female attorneys were trotted out on CNN and MSNBC to give the illusion of impartiality, but that was just for appearances sake!I view the persecution of Bill Cosby as a red herring of sorts, to distract from the very real, verifiable charges of physical abuse against Congressman Ellison. If her were not DNC deputy chairman, in favor of open borders and a Muslim, would his case be so almost totally ignored by the media?
The decision to deny Cosby bail was clearly based on the fact that the appeal process could drag for years meaning he wouldn't have spent a single day behind bars.
Whatever happens in the appeal--even if by some technicality he should win it--he will not have remained free during the process.
Though you can bet that now his lawyers will try to speed it up as much as possible as opposed to dragging it out if he had been free.
And to think that as a kid on Saturday mornings I loved Fat Albert and The Cosby Kids.
Sigh!
5
An absolutely disgraceful day for the American Justice System.
The ONLY reason he was charged with a crime is that he is black and his accuser at the least appears white.
Had Cosby been white or the victim been black then no charges would have ever been filed on such flimsy evidence.
No White Judge in PA would ever order an 81 year old WHITE man to prison immediately prior to exhausting appeals - that is justice reserved only for the poor and for blacks irregardless of their wealth.
I believe it was James Carville who said in "PA you have Pittsburgh in the West and Philly in the east and in between is Alabama"
How convenient that they moved the trial out of Philly and into "Alabama" where the State found a black female prosecutor to try the case so as to "sell the idea" of this trial not being racially motivated.
I don't know what Mr. Cosby did 14 years ago with Ms Costand
I simply do not know - nor does anyone else including the jury
What we have here is a lynching of another black man in the name of American Justice
Shame on all of us for letting that legacy of racism continue in this country.
9
@Java Junkie
As a health care provider, I can assure you that the trauma Cosby inflicted on my patient, one of his many victims...was lifelong and horrific. He deserves a much greater sentence than this, Java Junkie.
She was changed for life.
This is a far cry from a lynching.
14
Oh please. He admitted to giving women quaaludes for sex. What part of that do people not understand?
10
@Java Junkie You are incorrect about race being an issue. NY has brought charges against Weinstein.
2
sentence is not long enough! Maybe he and Kavanaugh can be cell mates
9
addicts don't have friends and family,.just victims,.
5
so is president trump next? and why not?
23
All those hashtags out there...here's another:
#whosenext?
Dominoes are falling.
The COZ? Really?
4
When I was a kid, I thought Bill Cosby was hysterically funny. A school friend and I would memorize the routuines from his comedy albums. He had a short-lived comedy-variety show on CBS, where he played straight man to comic Foster Brooks, playing an inebriated Network executive.
I was never a fan of "THE COSBY SHOW," but I made it a point to watch two episodes; one where he was reunuted with his "I SPY" co-star, Robert Culp; and one with Danny Kaye, in one of his last TV appearances, as the Huxtable's family dentist.
Early in his own career, Richard Pryor was a protege.
As much as I want very badly to remember Bill Cosby for the memorable laughs; and even his magical rapport with children (only the aforementioned Danny Kaye was better, but not by much); his fall from grace seems more like the human equivalent of a rock avalanche;
his fans being the casualties and collateral damage, all because ( sorry ) as the snide comment goes, "he couldn't keep it in his pants."
3
I have grown weary of the claim that every sexual offense scars the woman for the rest of her life. The worst offense that befell a well known public figure was probably John McCain’s time as a POW and his ongoing torture. McCain never claimed to be scarred for life. Yet women tell us that a guy exposing himself was so traumatic that they have never recovered. The lifelong effect of offenses that seem slight stretch credibility. “He pulled out his penis and I have never had a moment of peace since.” Really?
18
That’s not what Cosby did. You’re thinking of Louis CK. Cosby drugged and raped.
21
@michjas It's not just the indecent exposure. It's how it's done within the context of using power over others.
When Louis C.K. exposed himself during career-orientated conversations with female comedians, he not only betrayed their trust, but gave them a clear message -- 'Stand there captive and watch me get off in front of you...or your career is over. So don't move.' That is the message conveyed to victims when a man corners a woman like that, especially in the context of a work/professional meeting.
So it's not just the exposure...it's being forced to watch something that you didn't consent to, being used by another human for their sexual gratification with no regard for your well-being, and often being cornered with no way out (I have often been confronted by men masturbating near me on the subway or in buses, when it's too packed for me to move). It leaves the victim feeling violated, similar to how a woman feels after being assaulted.
In most states, if an adult exposes themself to, or masturbates in front of, a child, it's a form of sexual abuse. It's a misdemeanor in many jurisdictions if an adult does this to another adult.
You must be lucky to have never experienced this kind, or maybe any kind of, sexual violation? If you had, I doubt you'd be arguing this point. I hope none of your female family members or friends ever go to you for support after they've experienced any type of sexual assault or harassment; I suspect you wouldn't be very supportive.
15
@michjas You're kidding, right? McCain could not raise his arms more than half way in front of him. Of course he was - and claimed to be - scarred for life. People do live with these "scars for life" very bravely, but that doesn't mean they don't have them. And to answer your other stupid question, yes, really. You can't unsee some things, and women, well, we've all seen some things.
2
A friend of mine is understandably upset because she’s going to have 3 full years of scaffolding on her apartment building, including outside all her windows. If a regular joe is upset by 3 years of scaffolding on their home, imagine 3 years in PRISON. It’s not nothing, folks! Trust me, after 3 days it will already feel torturous.
2
Especially as an 81 year old not in great health. Could easily be 50% of his remaining life behind bars.
Not that he doesn’t deserve it for the terrible acts he committed.
5
And now let's see what happens to an even more sadistic predator, Weinstein. But of course he is a White guy so we'll see.
16
Did Weinstein rape his victims, anally, without cleaning, after drugging his victims? Maybe he did but I must have missed it. Thank you to the smart reader for pointing it out!
Yes my friend, Weinstein’s day of judgement is coming! No statute of limitations for rape and because he is white, we can all agree to cheer when he is convicted!
We know Kavanaugh’s crimes are just as bad as Cosby with probably more victims yet why is he not in prison as well?
3
Question: What kind of doctor was Bill Cosby on the Cosby show?
Answer: OBGYN.
Who’s brilliant idea was that? His maybe?
24
After hearing this news I bet Harvey Weinstein is very nervous. NEXT!
14
Thank you, Ms Costand, thank you.
19
People must be accountable for their actions. But it is rich to hear sanctimonious people declare "it's time for justice" for Mr. Cosby, while President "Access Hollywood" and a host of Republicans shout down anyone who has questions about their not so golden boy.
26
Boy did the Democrats give Pres. Clinton a pass. All the women who came forward and received no justice...that’s a shame. Dems have selective memory...t
4
@Paul
Pretty sure Clinton was impeached but whatever. Another white guy who got off. What's your point?
1
Bill Cosby today, tomorrow many many others. Kevin Spacey, David Daniels, and a large portion of the gay men out there. You think this is bad for women around predatory men? Try to be a gay man where this behavior goes almost entirely unchecked and a lot of gay men think drug rape is a form of sex. It is small wonder why so many gay men abuse drugs. Think of how hard it has been for women to get someone to believe them and how unlikely they are to report it...now imagine being a gay man and trying to get someone to believe you and how unlikely they have been to report it. I would seriously venture to guess that it is ten times worse. Whenever I read about some gay man overdosing on date rape drugs, GHB, Ketamine, etc., as a gay man I naturally assume he was dosed.
20
My brother worked in television production on the Cosby Show for years in the 80’s. He said Bill Cosby was not a nice person and treated lower level staff, like cameramen terribly. The only people he gave the time of day to were the main stars of the show. He caused turmoil on the set and was unkind to many employees. I’ve never forgotten that about him.
49
Look at the pictures of SOME of the young women who have been accusing Bill Cosby of sexual assault...of rape since the 2000s! Really LOOK!
https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/tasneemnashrulla/here-are-all-the-w...
Andrea Constand, January 2005 in a basketball uniform. A radiant smile, athletic young body--CRUSHED!
Beth Farrier, Barbara Bowman, Joan Tarshis (gentle innocence),former supermodel Janice Dickinson: Cosby raped her in Lake Tahoe in 1982! That’s 36 years ago!
Hiding behind sleazy lawyers, in a 2005 interview to the National Enquirer, Cosby said "words and actions can be misinterpreted" and that he was "not going to give in to people who try to exploit me because of my celebrity status.”
Yeah! THAT National Enquirer which has a "safe full of stories" about Donald J Trump.
Two men Trump and Cosby who were "above the law," who felt such an incredible sense of entitlement that ALL women were theirs to do with as they felt.
Both freely assaulting women since the 1980s, both with the National Enquirer keeping their secrets, both with fans “slut-shaming” the women strong enough to come forward.
This is the 21st century and both slimy reptiles had even slimier attorneys and editors hiding their stories.
Freddie Gray, the 19 y/o black man in Baltimore w crime of having a 3” knife on him,was truncheoned until paralyzed, then given a “rough ride” by police, died the next day.
Where is HIS trial??
We women and blacks MATTER!
10
3-10 years. Couldn't the judge make up his mind?
2
If Cosby wasn't 81 he would probably have garnered a much longer sentence which, for the crimes committed, he deserves.
I resent his attorney's allegation that Cosby was treated this way because he was black. Cos got off easy.
Trump's Hollywood Walk of Fame star gets trashed yet I hear that Cosby gets to keep his star. Doesn't seem fair.
Ever check out that Hollywood Walk of Fame on Hollywood Boulevard? What a dump! Drunks, panhandlers, drug pushers, liquor stores, pawn shops. Reminds me of pre-Giuliani Times Square.
3
How about Kavanaugh making a statement about this. I doubt it. He is a similar spineless person that can't even admit he was part of a time of sexual predation common in the past. Won't even admit that. Shame.
7
A Dutch woman died this week; she fought with the resistance and was famous for assassinating nazis after luring them into the woods with "come hither" looks.
Cosby was our canary in the coal mine.
Would that someone had done that to both Cosby and Kavanaugh when they were young predators.
Ain’t America Great—- the sewer drains so slow...
Yeah—- Hey-hey-hey...
And he did Sesame Street?
Nice job Bill...
4
It is an outrage that a sexual predator, the likes of Cosby, who drugged and raped his many victims, most of whom were young vibrant African Americans, gets a 3 year slap on the wrist. He showed no remorse. He has none. These victims were all people that he tricked, drugged, and violated. If he were not a famous black celebrity, one who we thought we knew as the kind, caring Dr. Huxtable of the 80's, he would have gotten the maximum sentence. We can only hope he dies in jail. Such a shame. Good riddance. To all the Hollywood leftist elites, take heed....rape has consequences. In the age of metoo, or any other time, such conduct is unacceptable. Sorry.
7
Yeah. Supreme Court nominees and Commanders-in-Chief probably should take note as well.
13
Justice has been served. I guess Cosby finally stopped being able to get away with his tricks.
2
In the meantime, back at the ranch, we have a president who bragged about assaulting women, and numerous prominent other white guys who have yet to see a jury. Seems a bit imbalanced.
35
Bill just became one more sleazeball Trump will seriously consider pardoning.
5
How about a number of other serial sexual assault perps?
Yeah, the Harvey Weinsteins, the Bill O'Reillys, the Charlie Roses, ...
But also the Donald Trumps, the Brett Kavanaughs, ...
Handcuffs, orange jump suit, LOCK HIM UP.
15
You forgot Slick Willy. Or maybe you just didn't want to include him.
8
@auser
add him to the list.
also add Denny Hastert, and all the Repubs on the list that this link point to
https://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&am...
3
@auser
and then there is THIS tidbit hot off the Washington Post press:
ttps://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/three-yale-law-school-classmates-who-endorsed-kavanaugh-call-for-investigation-into-sexual-misconduct-claims/2018/09/25/fabfc002-c10e-11e8-9005-5104e9616c21_story.html?utm_term=.58838857b451
Quote
Kent Sinclair, Douglas Rutzen and Mark Osler were among roughly two dozen of Kavanaugh’s law school classmates who lauded Kavanaugh’s qualifications in an Aug. 27 letter to leaders of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Their support for an investigation came as Yale Law professor Akhil Amar — who taught Kavanaugh and testified on his behalf before the committee this month — also called for a probe into what he described as “serious accusations” from the women.
End Quote
Even Yale Law Achool folks WHO ENDORSED Kava-NAW! want the accusations carefully investigated.
Force this guy onto SCOTUS and when the dirt comes out, he will be IMPEACHED for lying to the Senate under oath, and a pile of republicans will have egg (and a lot worse) all over their smiling faces.
The Repubs will rue the day they pull that stunt for a decade.
Double doggy dare you, Mitch McConnell. Force Kavanaugh onto SCOTUS and watch the fireworks.
Wait and see.
4
While I'm satisfied that justice was served, I'm concerned that white perps won't encounter a similar fate. Trump, Weinstein, Louis C.K., Kevin Spacey, etc., etc., the list goes on and on. I'm worried that our racist justice system won't indict white sexual predators. I won't believe it until I see it.
6
@Leah You should do better research before lumping in Louis C.K. with the others on your list.
2
@Leah ...Bill Clinton.
2
Try not to get your knickers in a wad. C.K. earned the right to be lumped in also. He worked hard for it. He even wrote it into his now defunct movie. Finally, ask what Tig Notaro thinks about it all.
1
Justice served and a predator caged. Sometimes the legal system works
19
LOCK HIM UP!
2
If Cosby were white, he’d be a supreme court justice by now.
34
FINALLY!!! Its about time America hold these sexual predators accountable. You CANNOT sexually assault a woman even if you are "Americas Dad!" Even given todays zeitgeist of bumbling Trumpism, today I couldn't be prouder to be an American. Don't drop the soap Bill!
7
I have to wonder if this was a white guy what the verdict and sentence would be. We have Weinstein and Kavanaugh to follow.
9
I wonder if being a white woman he would have hit on you!
Good riddance.
6
Good news about Cosby. Now what about Trump? When does he go on trial for sexual assault?
24
Thanks Andrea - this is such wonderful news. This hideous predator is now universally known for what he is. Let him rot in jail. His prison photo shown with this article speaks volumes. Yippee!
11
Why is it always a black guy who gets punished and rest get away with a warning? What a blind 81 yr old in house arrest can do? Had he been so smart he would not have had to use drugs to seduce women.
4
A black guy got punished because he was stupid to use drugs on women.
6
I would hope Harvey Weinstein is given at least a similar amount of jail time, and that B. Kavanaugh is dismissed as the holdover from another era he appears to be. There needs to be parity here. It’s important.
8
Oh poor Camille to claim “egregious injustices” only shows how privileged people live in a bubble immune to reality. You are an accomplice and abettor to the crimes committed. Shame on both of you!
1
When I first met the woman who would be my wife, she told me this story of Cosby. He brought a different "girl" with him each time he came to do a production shoot. He belittled and ravaged the little kids he was supposed to be so good with. As a Cosby fan from the early days of his albums, I found it disconcerting. Yet, I knew she was telling the truth.
Now, some 30+ years later, the truth is out there for the world to see.
14
Cosby's reaction is so weird. Have you ever tried just shutting your eyes to the reality in front of you..? I have..Works pretty good. Just actually close your eyes..Problem gone, except for walking, and if someone is helping you with that, no big deal..
Can someone explain why Bill Cosby is sentenced to prison and Kavanaugh might be headed to the Supreme Court. They both did the same thing - get women intoxicated and and force them to have sex. If there is a god, severe punishment on the US will be forthcoming.
2
1. Someone pressed charges against Cosby.
2. Most people don’t equate drunken frat boy behavior - as bad as it is - with the premeditated serial drugging and raping of women.
3. Kavanaugh apparently grew up and found legal ways to hurt people. Cosby didn’t.
I hope this helps. You’re welcome.
4
There is an interview from the early 1970's where Cosby is discussing Spanish Fly, and the excitement it stirred within him was palpable. He spoke of drugging and raping a woman, in a kind of allowable coded dialogue for the times, like it was innocent teenage male hijinx. He spoke of "Spanish Fly" as if it was magic. For Cosby, this whole scene is a kind of sexual fetish. Because we all know, if it were simply a question of female conquest, he could have a different girl every night for the next 100 years. No, for Cosby he got a special thrill by overpowering a woman chemically. That is, I think, sick.
8
Now let's find all those people who aided and abetted him. Think no one knew? Think again.
3
Time to serve those fellow inmates with some comedy. Hope he makes good use of his time and gets to that truly sorrowful state of being.
Only 10 years? He deserved 100!
4
@Gerald Well, except for American women.
Happy to hear this news and maybe the next trial will give Cosby the more yrs in prison that he deserves.
I hope this sends a message to those senators re: Kav.. NB: Best for America NOT to put this jock in such an important life long SC position re: women for now and the next generation. Obviously he has led a double life like Mr. Cosby. Brett K has already done enough damage to at least several women and who knows how many others. And let's remember that he has already LIED UNDER OATH A COUPLE OF TIMES. Hopefully those who sang McCain's praises for doing the right thing under difficult circumstances will honor him and resist the temptation to vote for trump's choice.
why should he be insulated. he used every tool at at his disposal to seduce women..I have zero compassion for a person of his stature to manipulate the system. Harvey must be quaking..
1
My grandfather sexually abused his daughters, granddaughters and his great granddaughter. He was a sexual predator. When my aunt approached my grandmother to bring it out in the open my grandfather was in 70's. My grandmother didn't do anything because she said he was too old. Being old at that point only means you never got caught. Cosby was caught and sentenced. I am thrilled that age did not play here.
9
By any measure 3 years is a throw away sentence. Don't be surprised if he's out inhalf that time if onlybecause he has high priced connected attorneys.
Even so it won't be a country club setting. Instead he will be bunking with men far outside of his social society. That is a good thing because of what he did to so many women. He is/was such a power monger deservant of a chain gang facility not the allowances he is surely to enjoy from his awed brethren much like OJ.
Cosby is a predator pure and simple. Cutting him any slack is deserving of a similar event to befall on ones mother or daughter.
Of course if he did admit remorse then he couldn’t appeal, and his lawyers wouldn’t have a reason to drain his bank account with endless appeals. I’m so glad he is appealing as he will be further financially drained by his lawyers who see him as a cash cow. It’s good continual punishment for someone who is a sexual predator. Three years and out for someone the judge says is a sexual predator. Out on probation in a year for good behavior. Imagine if hadn’t been classified a serial sexual predator but just a one time rapist: a couples in prison but out in a few hours for good behavior. Nice way to punish serial rapists who have been found guilty.
2
Such a sad video, such a pitiful old man. Even sadder is that it took so long for the law to catch up. Is this justice in the deepest sense? The women can’t have undone what was done; and he will likely die in prison, an ignoble end to his life.
2
"The judge defended that decision, explaining that he had based that ruling on a legal “doctrine of implausibility.” He said that so many women had come forward to accuse Mr. Cosby of sexual abuse that it had become implausible to find that it wasn’t true."
That's a corruption of the "pattern of behavior or conduct" evidence rule and as a stand alone is a nonsense doctrine with little case law support, and stands a good chance of appellate reversal.
But it is a good definition of mob rule.
In essence, if more and more people show up at your trial claiming that you are a bad person, or did an unpopular thing, or voted for Donald Trump (when that is codified in the criminal code by the new Left), then it is "implausible" that you did not commit the offense of which you are accused.
In other words, a popularity contest!
The #MeToo movement is making the guillotine and the Reign of Terror great again!
2
The long arm of the law.
Can he have cell mates? Donnie and Brett could join him!
@Stefanie Livolsi He could have Slick Willy Clinton join him.
2
I’d like to hear Trump’s view of the Bill Cosby guilty verdict .
1
@Perry Neeum I'd like to hear Bill Clinton's.
4
I really don't care that he is old and has lost his sight. He should have been in prison decades ago. Let him serve his time in the dark in a cold cell.
10
So many white people just love Bill Cosby. He was just such a wonderful role model for Black youth. Nonsense. Read Michael Dyson's critique of Cosby (look him up on google). Cosby was an elite Black man who criticized poor blacks out of social context. This endeared so many whites to him: "See, I'm no racist. Cosby--he's Black--and he says the same thing. Don't call me a racist because they can't spell and pronounce proper English." Some white people just love to hear a Black man criticize other Blacks; it confirms their own racism. And another thing. The so-called Cosby kids were carefully selected for skin color. Ever notice how the oldest daughters were the whitest looking? And the youngest, not sexually mature yet were the darkest? Long, long history of female attractiveness being tied to lighter skin. Accidental? I think not. Look up the word octaroon, for example. You think I'm too color conscious? No, our society is. It permeates everything. Cosby hasn't fallen from grace; he never had any.
4
This is not a day for, as one of the litigants proclaimed, and by the way, this person had to be one of the least credible people admitted to our living rooms via television in quite awhile, for them to say “I am victorious”.
Really?
Reality television IS America. The last vestige of ironic detachment has faded from view in the American Zeitgeist.
And this is what we’re left with:
“Victims” who took ‘ludes’ accepted at a late night mtg., and a mere 20-30 years later, reported it. ‘Victims’ appearing with ambulance chasers and no pertinent questions asked on that score, or that adults who visit powerful men (and married ones at that) who then go for obvious inappropriate late night sessions with showbiz types to ‘talk over their careers?’ These are your victims? Only if they are children, because no one is that naive. They just aren’t. When did women become this incapable of figuring out the meaning of certain situations— adults know what they are doing and most will then have the good sense not to bring on condemnation and jeers by mentioning it to a few select people at the NYTimes decades later.
So, what then, the career in show biz didn’t work out and nothing is left but....heh, how about that Cosby estate? If this was an insurance claim they’d deny it as they are well versed in the deep pockets hustle.
Now, am I being harsh? Yes. Terribly so. Cosby deserves a dungeon; he drugged and hurt women. I’ll turn the key myself. But what’s happening now? Feels like a mob.
3
A few years back as a young 50 year old woman, I would have agreed that an 81 year old man was not a threat...until i was sexually attacked by an 80-plus-plus-year-old man.
Sadly now I believe, once a sexual abuser always a sexual abuser.
4
If Cosby were not black and funny and blind, he'd be exactly like Brett Kavanaugh. Or so I read on the left side of things.
That sentence is an absolute insult.
This guy had everything. Money. Fame. Admiration. Education. An incredible career. A devoted wife. The sum of all that was less important and motivating for him than raping women. Raping was worth more to him than everything. That tells you just how much pleasure rapists get from their crimes. And speaks to the fact that they cannot be rehabilitated. They need to be locked up permanently.
6
The primal pond is full of frogs and even toads, but far below them on the slimy bottom sits a well camouflaged creature waiting for his next unsuspecting victim. One has been hauled up to the surface for all to see today.
It's good that female abusers have sentences like this too, isn't it? Oh wait...
The western world does have a culture of sexism, but it's not against women.
Have you looked at the Fortune 500 CEOs or, say, Congress? Poor white men. So powerless and downtrodden. Stop being a snowflake.
4
As I recall from law school, the judge’s reason for allowing 5 other alleged victim to testify, is exactly the reason it’s not allowed - to show that it is more likely that Cosby in fact committed a crime against the victim he is charged with raping.
In a perfect world, it is inconceivable to me that this verdict will be sustained on appeal. But we don’t live in a perfect world, and judges often find ways to do the right thing, even for the wrong reasons.
2
The Cos was always a fraud.. Apparently..
2
I have a lot of fond memories of Bill Cosby from growing up, now they’ll all have to bad memories. Thanks, Constance, as if I didn’t have enough other ones all ready. I’m not sure I see the value of locking up an unthreatening old man other than revenge.
1
I find it funny that you blame her for standing up for herself. If you had a daughter and she was sexually assaulted wouldn’t you want the man behind bars. He committed his crime and now he’s paying for it, I would want revenge if it were me.
5
Even knowing what Bill Cosby did, this video is just terribly sad for the person he could have been. I also wonder why we don't see Harvey Weinstein and some of the other powerful white men in this position.
Why don’t you see Weinstein like this? Because the legal case against him is still going on. Cosby’s started long before. What is the matter with you people? Think!
What was that about the "left-wing conspiracy" that has been raised against Kavanaugh we have been hearing over the past few days? Surely that is not operating for Bill Cosby.
The Republicans would like to assert that a "conspiracy" applies only when discussing conservative sexual predators. E.g., Donald Trump, Roy Moore.
1
In solidarity, I'm so pleased for all of the victims. You changed the shape of America's thinking today.
2
Bill Cosby is getting what he deserves but it is nonetheless disconcerting to see him being lead to prison in handcuffs. I guess it is because the public persona he built is so divergent from the person he really is.
With accusations against Kavanaugh increasing every day, the timing of this sentence was perfect. Women have had enough of these old, lecherous men. Soon Kavanaugh will have his “time in the barrel.” It will not end well for him, not should it.
4
This "blind, octogenarian first offender" is no "first offender" but rather a multiple lifetime offender with a first conviction for it. I could not be more disappointed in Bill Cosby.
6
Just desserts for old Bill. I often lunched with security guards at the Las Vegas Hilton back in the 80's (I was in sales/reservations) and the amount of women going into one of his suites the guards told me was huge. They hated it when he played the showroom knowing his true worth. They were disgusted with him as well. Did these women know what his endgame was? I wonder. His promise as "America's dad" was laughable. I am surprised he got actual jail time. I guess there is justice in Pennsylvania,
1
The #MeToo movement has seen justice served in this sentencing. It still seems light, but considering it was just one case (of many), it is understandable.
I hope this is a forewarning for Judge Kavanaugh. He too is NOT above the law. He also has been proven to be a liar to the Senate on 3 to 4 occasions. Kavanaugh should know better than try and push through. He should withdraw his nomination. He is only going to be exposed as a liar and would be a disgrace to the SCOTUS.
I'm glad to see Mr. Cosby put behind bars. No woman should be assaulted and taken advantage of as he had done repeatedly. Just because you are famous, does not mean you are entitled.
3
I will believe that progress for #metoo will be well and truly defined when the president of the USA, Donald Trump, is held accountable for his lies about and treatment of women. Until then he stands for the old order.
1
Bill Cosby got off lightly.
It's odd. So many comment how it's a shame that some one who was such a role model has fallen this low. When I was an African American boy watching the Cosby Show, I was one of those who idolized this man as a performer, but as I grew older, I also was keen to what he was not.
Often he used his platform -- the image of unassailable morality he crafted -- perched from a position of power, to lecture African American men and families not from a place of understanding, but from a place of privilege and intolerance. He was a bully in so many ways and a role model only because he crafted an image that was ultimately a lie.
He was a man who trafficked in manipulation his entire life to violently attack women whom he literally rendered helpless by incapacitating them by knocking them out with powerful drugs.
With hindsight of his sexual assaults of more than 60 women, including dozens of rapes, instead of saying it's a shame that someone who was such a role model has fallen so low, more need to say it's a shame that he used what talent he had to create a plausible excuse in some people's mind that there was no way he could have been a serial rapist.
He got it away with it for years because he conned us into thinking he was a man led by an unassailable morality.
He was not.
Three to 10 years is not enough, but at least he is going to prison and is being held accountable in some way for the trail of sexual violence he left behind.
14
I am glad justice has prevailed. And that money didn't get him out of it. He hurt too many women, and now even at this late date he has to make some sort of payment.
2
That money will be going to his lawyers as they drain his bank accounts in appeals. The moral is go to law school, defend the rich right or wrong and become rich your self.
1
Thank you to all of the gentlemen commenting here who agree that Cosby deserves at least the punishment he has been handed.
To the rest of you, consider if Cosby had raped you. (Rape is not easier on a female than it is on a male.) Likely you would not feel that 3-10 years is too harsh because he’s too old, or because the crimes of which he has been convicted were committed so long ago, or because you took too long to summon the courage to confront a person in a position of power. Nor would you feel that house arrest would be a sufficient punishment.
2
When I moved to this country over 25 years ago, I was reminded time and again we had a rule of Law. The reality is this country’s judiciary has forgotten what the law is and moved ever so quickly into a profound slide into populism in every facet of the law from product liability to the outrageous behavior of the judge in this criminal case. God forbid and god help any of you readers if you are ever caught up in America’s so called justice system. There is no burden of proof anymore. All you have to do is make an allegation. It’s a joke!
4
Cosby enjoyed many years of freedom while his victims endured years in the custody of their own suffering at his hands. I have no sympathy for him. The only real sadmess I feel comes from the fact that at his age and in his health he will probably only suffer his fate for a short time. Way too short.
2
When will Trump be held accountable for the more than a dozen alleged sexual assaults and harassments he has been accused of?
4
The most significant point of this story is that some people were genuinely shocked to learn that this man in real life was different from his TV character.
This says so much about the gullibility of the American public.
The Trump voters really believe that minorities and immigrants caused all of their economic problems.
Trump voters believe in the fantasy of economic freedom.
They do not believe that unregulated big business and Wall Street caused the financial crisis of 2008.
They believe that other poor people brought the economic system to its knees in 2008.
With enough money and enough TV you can convince some people of anything.
Cosby is a fake America’s Dad, and Trump is a fake America’s President.
7
I suppose it’s the best system of justice we can come up with. Cosby has to spend his remaining years somewhere, one place is just as good as another I suppose, not that anything changes either way.
Once upon a time, back in the 80's he's was America's role model dad to me and many others.
Before that, he was a groundbreaking black American actor.
I'm shook and disgusted and so sorry for the women he assaulted.
How can we have heroes?
2
@Brad: Pity the land that needs a hero.
1
I am not a person that normally believes in harsh prison sentences, but in this case, I am glad.
I am glad that Bill Cosby is going to prison. I am glad that he won't be around to hurt more women. I am glad that the #MeToo movement has come this far.
While I have never had to say #MeToo in relation to myself, I have watched it take over the news these past months with a strange mix of horror and happiness. I was appalled, at first. Confused.
I was 12 years old. I knew, of course, of rape and cat-calling, but I had never thought of it as something real. Something that could happen to me. Suddenly, I realized that I could be that person. My friends could. I dreaded high school for the first time in my life.
But this, this fills me with happiness. The knowledge that even the greatest can fall if they hurt women in such a way. The hope that boys will see these articles and know that sexual abuse and harassment is not okay, and that girls will read them and realize that they can speak out and stop predators without fearing for their own lives.
And that maybe we'll all come to understand that rape is a serious crime, and that we cannot explain it away through age and alcohol. That maybe, by the time I get to college, it'll no longer be regarded as a joke in dorms. And that maybe someday, #MeToo won't be necessary.
5
I am pleased with this sentence. Cosby should have been in prison long ago.
What I find most reprehensible is his lying, disingenuousness and lack of remorse. I have taken benadryl and quaaludes, and there is no comparison. Only quaaludes, illegal drugs, could have the effects these women describe.
1
Meanwhile, Republican Senators think Mr. Kavenaugh accusers should shut up and let them confirm Mr. Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court.
Mr. Cosby used to claim his innocence and accusing his victim of a smear campaign, exactly what Mr. Trump and McConnell have done this week regarding Kavanaugh accusers.
4
Pitiful. A tragedy for all involved.
He got what he deserved but unfortunately, he still doesn't get "it."
3
Now, we we see others facing their day in court or will they be allowed to slink away be resigning and giving up small fortunes? Will they too be held accountable?
Perhaps if a generation of octogenarians and near-octogenarians are locked up; it may be a reminder to younger men (and some women) that using sex as a weapon in the workplace- or any place, is unacceptable, illegal and punishable.
1
Bill goes to prison for 3 to 10, Brett is likely to go to the Supreme Court for 20 to 30.
So it goes...
1
Not about Cosby Alert:
Please remember those old friends and such who go to jail and are disowned or forgotten, they need dignity and that is you sending that person $30/month for the prison store. They may well have nothing other than your occasional thought.
2
The problem is not men it’s the drive for sex. I believe we’re demonizing completely the wrong thing here. Men who succumb to it are just as much the victim and physically they’re at a disadvantage. Money and power only add to the insult.
sex drive is very different from rape. only one is about power over someone else's body. It is a fallacy to think that sex drive doesn't occur in women.
1
Absolutely, a resounding NO that a verdict of culpability returned against William Henry Cosby Jr., commonly known as Bill Cosby, by a court of law (after a retrial by jury), in the United States of America state of Pennsylvania, on the day of April 26, 2018, after the famed stand-up comedian, who is now of the ripe age of 80, was accused of having permitted himself to be engaged in what has been described as the ugly practice of committing crimes of sexual nature and gravity (or aggravated indecent assault or wrongs relating to statutory sexual assault) on the person of a multitude of individuals, 59 in total, all of the feminine sex, and also with the particular help of pills of the color blue called "friends to help you relax,” meaning that the targeted females immediately thereafter involuntarily found themselves in a lethargic stage, has defied expectations.
Yet, such an opinion or conclusion formed on the basis particularly of the Me Too movement or"# Me Too," a movement against sexual harassment and assault that commenced in the U.S., one that, by many measures, has transformed the milieu for male defendants into what many have painfully referred to as extremely corrosive, almost unreservedly toxic – no due process. Apparently, the end of legal reasoning and its application associated with fair treatment through the normal judicial system, as the the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution provides for.
1
I almost lost hope of finding the verb, then German syntax with its trait to delay I remembered.
3
And now the civil cases can go forward. It was the civil case that finally brought down O.J. Simpson and stripped him of his wealth.
I am glad Bill Cosby will be watching from jail as his legacy and estate are rendered worthless.
2
If they can convict Bill Cosby for sexual abuse that happened years ago, then by all means Supreme Court nominee Kavanaugh, a lifetime position, should also be investigated about his past accused sexual behavior.
This is one down and way too many sexual abusers to go. Every now and then justice is served properly. Still it is sad to witness the fall of Bill Cosby.
3
"The evil that men do lives after them; the good is oft interred with their bones."
I am looking through the top shows from 1985 trying to explain to my daughter who was born that year what this would be like if Michael J Fox, Ted Danson, Bob Newhart, or Bruce Willis were being led away in handcuffs. It is nearly impossible for this to be believable, but it is. The fact that this man prayed upon so many women in such a vicious way hurts. This is so much harder than Harvey Weinstein.
Let us, for a minute, consider Cosby is innocent. How does he now feel about the convicts he berated for decades, many of whom also claim their innocence?
“How’s he going to meet these people?” Mr. Green said. “There is no reasonable prospect that an 81-year-old blind man is likely to reoffend.”
... let alone an 81-year-old blind man with BC's reputation. What woman, outside his family, would go anywhere near him now without a 3rd person in the room?
A stretch in prison seems perfectly appropriate. Denying bail until the appeal, not so much. But classifying him as a sexually violent predator is just absurd, part of the American inability/unwillingness to see subtlety. The people who crashed jets into the World Trade Center were not only evil, but they had to be cowards, too. (You can confirm that with Bill Maher, if you like.) And Bill Cosby not only took advantage of women in an evil way, but must also be seen as a continuing danger, even though he's clearly not.
Some degree of justice at last. I hope that Ms. Constand and the many other women whom Cosby drugged and assaulted can get some measure of relief by this sentencing.
I didn't buy the notion that Mr. Cosby is too old and too blind to be sentenced to jail. He wasn't too old to do the crime. He wasn't too old to put off court as long as he could. Though his sight is poor, that is not or should not be a factor in sentencing.
Mr. Cosby is now a state-labelled sexual predator and a felon. Sad for those of us who loved his TV persona, but not for those of us who don't think he was due extra privilege due to his education or his celebrity.
He needs to go to jail now, not after appeals, which could be dragged out long enough that he never sets foot in jail.
3
Why isn't trump in handcuffs and on his way to prison? Didn't women accuse trump of assault?
There is no justice until every last perp is prosecuted and sentenced.
2
It breaks my heart --- not that he was sentenced to prison (he deserves that), but that such an admired man that we all (white and black people) loved has betrayed us all.
1
No doubt about it, he did wrong and should pay for it so do not get me wrong, but I have big issues that 14 years later she comes forward . Why so long ? And what was she doing in his house. But I do really agree , I hope Harvey Weinstein really gets what’s coming to him. He was doing it Recently and always.
A crime is a crime regardless of when it was committed. Full stop.
6
This gives me hope that mr. trump will pay for his sins, too.
12
@Karla Cole
Cosby can't pardon himself.*
Beyond that, Cosby doesn't have hundreds of sycophantic lawmakers depending on him to deliver the right-wing judicial, social services, tax rates for the wealthy and environmental depredation coups they've been waiting on for decades, so all he had to protect him was his money. Sometimes that just isn't enough.
(*It's unknown whether trump can, either.)
2
Bravo Andrea Constand! As a woman and mother of two little girls, I want to thank you for your long fought battle to bring Ms. Cosby to justice. I am so sorry for the pain you had to endure. Your perseverance and refusal to accept your sexual assault as something that happens and is best left unsaid is a service towards all women and men. I hope your spirit soars high today and always.
8
The juxtaposition is striking. We have a judge passing down sentencing on an American icon while the nation rages over a Supreme Court nominee facing similar charges. We can debate the harshness or leniency of Cosby's sentencing. Cosby's biggest defeat was being judicially labeled a sexual predator. Jail time or no jail time, he'll carry that scarlet letter on his chest for the rest of his life.
The most immediate question now is Kavanaugh. There couldn't have been a better time for Cosby's ruling to come down. The entire nation is watching the Republican Judiciary Committee. If you were to carve the public's message in granite, you couldn't have chosen a larger font. Kavanaugh stands on the wrong side of an ampersand.
Personally, I've written a scathing letter to my senators. I happen to have a Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee. Not that I think he'll listen. He's never listened to me before. I did receive encouraging news today though. I learned the Mormon Women for Ethical Government called on Senators to halt the proceedings.
I'm no expert on Mormonism. However, in my experience, Mormon women blowing the whistle on inappropriate public conduct is a canary in the coal mine. You had better stop and listen to what they have to say. Orrin Hatch appears to have forgotten his hearing aides.
4
If only we held our Supreme Court justices to the same standard as pudding pop salesmen.
7
Cosby's outcome today represents the confluence of poor judgment, poor legal advice and judicial activism. The image of Cosby shuffling away in restraints evokes the image of someone with no survival instincts headed toward the guillotine. Nevertheless, Cosby is also another victim of the MeToo movement since the manner of his conviction, in which several women were allowed to recount unproven past allegations against him, perverted his trial. Moreover, the rule of law is also a victim. Even if Cosby is a scoundrel to the highest degree, we shouldn't "blow up the house to get one mouse!" MeToo is indeed effective, but it's also like McCarthyism. Overuse will eventually weaken it to the point of being entirely ineffective.
2
BC admitted in a deposition he used Quaaludes to incapacitate the women. His own testimony brought his downfall. stop blaming women for crimes men commit!
3
@Rita k.
No. That's not what Cosby admitted, but the questions and answers for this particular deposition are often misrepresented.
1
Three to ten is a slap on the wrist considering the horrors this monster perpetrated not only on women but on their loved ones who will endure pain forever. But true justice would be achieved if they charge and convict Camille Cosby as an accessory. She had to know what was happening and chose to remain silent. That is aiding and abetting multiple criminal acts.
2
Sorry, don't find anyone to admire in this case.
"Bill Cosby took my beautiful, healthy young spirit and crushed it.”
Please, don't buy it. At all. But we, as America, can hold on to our fantasies of collective innocence.
5
It's a sad day. Not that Mr. Cosby doesn't deserve this sentence; I believe he does. But, it's kind of like the loss of childhood. He was so entertaining and gave me so many moments of joy. And, can I now go back and quote some of his brilliant bits, or not?
No one wins when a talented person goes bad. Especially when his public moves were so anti his actual actions. I mean, pudding-pops, for god's sake. That's not anything like Andrew Dice Clay, Alex Jones, or Donald Trump pushing for open hatred.
Justice be done, and I'm glad for it. But, the fall of an apparently good man doesn't make me happy. It makes me sad.
Justice for victims does make me happy, so I'll take solace in that. Better if the crime hadn't happened at all.
But, it's still a sad day.
1
I don't understand how this could have happened. Bill Cosby has denied the allegations brought forth by these women, and as Donald Trump has repeatedly stated in reference to Kavanaugh, that means he didn't do it.
Apparently the number of women who have to accuse someone of sexual assault before anyone takes them seriously is between 2 and 60.
7
He may be legally blind , meaning his vision is reduced--- but that can't be an excuse for reduced punishment for crimes committed. He is morally blind-- meaning he lacks any respect and empathy for the feelings of others.
6
An important piece of News, that is being almost totally ignored is that Camille Cosby, Mr. Cosby’s wife issued a statement after today’s hearing: in this statement she pointed out that the tape of Cosby, secretly made by Gianna Constand, the mother of Andrea Constand, and a key piece of evidence in both trials, had been doctored, and is not a fair representation of her conversation with Cosby. Apparently, an FBI approved lab has examined the tape, and confirms that the tape was doctored.
There is an NYT article that has part of this statement, but it isn’t easy to find. The deliberate use of falsified evidence by a prosecutor is a serious crime. Given these circumstances, it seems quite probable that there may me dramatic developments regarding these trials and the sentencing.
8
@BenRitchieHook
As if this news will alter the affect the consensus of the nearly 60 women who came forward independently with similar stories of being drugged and seduced while they were incapable of resisting? Some women opted to take the pill, trusting in their mentor, while others said they drank something he gave them without knowing it was "spiced". Whatever the method, the guy was using Quaaludes and other drugs over years, even decades, as an entry to prey on women young enough to be his daughter. I find his flimsy excuses to be several fries short of a Happy Meal.
5
Excuse me, but he gave the women a pills and they opted to take them? Yes, he was wrong in his intentions and his behavior was predatory. But I have never taken a pill given to me without looking at it, asking about, and recognizing it. It if were some other drug placed inside a Tylenol capsule, I can understand.
I suppose it is the same sort of thing where seemingly every girlfriend gives her boyfriend her passwords to online account. I've been married to a wonderful man for 17 years and I have 3 adult children, not one of them know my passwords to anything. I doubt that they know my place of birth or the time.
Has common sense fallen so far that people just do as they are told and then sashay into harm's way?
Yes, he needs to be humiliated for his intentions to do harm, as does anyone who intends to harm another living being. But I would not have taken that pill regardless if it looked like tylenol even if I had been 15yo. Then again, I've never trusted anyone to be honest with me. Maybe I learned to early that most humans are predators?
6
@Susannah Allanic So what are you saying, it's ok to sexually assault women if they agree to take a pill? Is that intended to be an excuse, or an attempt to shift blame to the women? Neither is acceptable or worth considering.
5
What he did to the women after he gave them the pills is why he deserves to be in jail. The devil didn't have to succeed in making Cosby rape them after they passed out but he did it anyhow.
1
@Susannah Allanic
So, because you would not fall for someone's premeditated manipulations and others did....
Because, as you perceive, someone lacks common sense...
Because someone takes a pill they are told would relax them when these were pills intended to knock them out cold....
then they deserved to be violently sexually assaulted?
That is the implication of such reasoning.
The reasoning is not only faulty and lacks any sense of compassion, but it also is belied by the evidence.
Mr. Cosby repeatedly trafficked in manipulation to rape women whom he literally rendered helpless by telling them a pill would help them to relax, but which instead were powerful drugs that incapacitated them fully by knocking them out cold.
That someone fails to meet another's definition of what is common sense provides no excuse for Mr. Cosby's calculated violence and cruelty.
This kind of reasoning is as illogical as it is cruel as it blames someone for making a decision they had every common sense reason to believe would not lead to violent sexual assault.
What's more, it excuses Mr. Cosby and every action he took to compromise another's ability to consent or fight back against what, time after time, amounted to a meticulously planned, drugged-induced unconsciousness of 60 women that allowed him to serially rape or otherwise assault them.
5
It is a sad day for those of us who admire Bill Cosby's many talents and have enjoyed his work over the years.
He should have received a suspended sentence and confined to home. It serves no purpose to put him in prison.
I also have never understood how his accuser thought she could carry on an extended affair and then turn around and file suit and criminal charges. Very puzzling to say the least.
5
@Alabama ' extended affair? ' affair'??? how about long term fluffing by superstar Cosby, with goal of sex with a zoned out, incabale of protesting, human being. I just want to know WHY Cosby needs to have sex with the almost dead..That is my ultimate question..Why did Bill Cosby need to have sex with women who were incapacitated..?? And I would like to ask his wife as well..It is just So different from my evolution re : sex.. Why Bill..Can you help us understand the quaaludes, the need for unresponsive bodies in sex?? why??
5
@Honeybee but taking advntage of an inanimate object is not powerful it is weak. No, I would look to his parents restrictions on him as a child..
'The judge defended that decision, explaining that he had based that ruling on a legal “doctrine of implausibility.” He said that so many women had come forward to accuse Mr. Cosby of sexual abuse that it had become implausible to find that it wasn’t true.'
This doesn't make sense here when applied to the judge's first decision in the first trial *not* to allow the other women to testify, but would make sense if applied to the second decision in the second trial, when the judge did allow the women to testify. But also, according to the NYT, the judge defended his first decision but not his second. I'm confused!
5
I imagine the parents of young boys across the country have already adjusted to be sure they teach their sons how to respect girls and women, for their own sakes if no one else's. If this were a freak example of bad conduct, it wouldn't be as generally significant. But the country has come to understand that egregious abuses of women are widespread.
14
Unless their fathers treat their mothers respectfully and kindly, the sons won’t be any better. Good parents were already insisting on a moral code of conduct for their sons and their daughters and hopefully self defense for both. 40% of the country is fine with trump assaulting women. They’re not going to change.
2
I think this is a case of people that were adults one side was rich the other side was eager to get rich because just because someone offers you a pill doesn't mean you have to take it you can't tell me that going to a party staying after hours like that what those women had on their mind I just think they wanted to be compensated for it financially and career-wise and I think Bill probably sold a bunch of pipe dreams because think about it he raped me !!but the next day I call you for a ride to work???? or call you later on that same night to ask your advice about something else that's pressing in life????the whole SITUATION SOUNDS fishy at best... and we have an admitted sexual predator in the White House...
1
While there is definite value in the prosecution of high profile cases to send a message far and wide, it is frustrating that the cases involving mere mortals are subject to a statute of limitation and no lawyer will touch them. I know because I've inquired. If it is the Catholic church or a celebrity or a Supreme Court nominee, everyone is interested -- and I get it. I am interested, too. The stakes are high and it should be high profile. These cases will establish valuable precedent. But sexual assault can crush the soul of any woman, and as has been thoroughly discussed lately, it can take decades to find one's voice on the matter. How is one to overcome the obstacle of time limits and seek resolution under the law? Countless women would like to know.
5
I do not understand a sentence of a minimum 3 years, and 10 as a maximum. The sentence is just 3 years, right? They will let him out as soon as they can, so why is this sentence not the standard 5-10 I have read about? I appreciate he is guilty, but I think this sentence is very light. I don't even understand the range, but I would absolutely understand 10 years, minimum.
7
September 25, 2018
Atonement and penance can only improve Bill Cosby's life journey that surely was as much based on psychology and language arts. Yet how this will guide his spirit and mind let's hope his autobiography is needed to share with his / our world of struggles in all dimensions for gaining grace and maturity to live the America dream - With our without his confinement he owe his lessons to his family, friends, and fan as an American struggling to ideal family search and adaptations for success.
jja Manhattan, N.Y.
1
Does this mean I can’t laugh at his comedy any more? I hope not, but I suspect it does because if I do then somehow I will become guilty by association. That’s unfortunate because he was really very, very funny in the 60s and 70s. I can no longer say I like Woody Allen films or enjoy his comedy, either, though he was very, very funny. It’s too bad I have no desire to abuse anyone, deny their rights, or stage torchlight marches because I might then at least be acceptable to a rather repulsive and deplorable section of the populace. Unfortunately there is no longer a center and litmus tests abound with no reference to common sense. Criminals can be separated from their artistic capabilities. If not, we lack all humanity and are as bad as those we would cast out.
4
I’m not sure criminals can be seperate from their art in cases where that individual has so intertwined their criminal acts with their art. Cosby so clearly used the status afforded to him for his art to garner trust from women so that he could drug and sexually assault them.
In other cases it is not so clearly cut, but we need to be weary of people who will use their art as a pathway to abuse.
You can laugh at whatever you want. I personally never laughed at his comedy because it wasn’t funny
Some people say they object to using their taxes to pay for his prison upkeep. He’s very old and ‘blind’ and not a danger to society, so it’s only retribution.
But what’s a justice system for? Leaving him out of prison would set a bad example, thus would be a certain kind of 'danger to society' itself. It would ignore the necessity of moral retribution and punishment where it is due-- within the rule of law-- which is necessary in all civilized societies.
Now we'll see if our justice system can put away some of the white men who are rich and powerful, and guilty of the same crimes. They're younger and have good eyesight. Let's see what excuses their defenders might think up.
20
@Meredith
You're right. So tell me again why white, rich and powerful Bill Clinton is not in prison.
1
You're playing the race card and ignoring the money card.
If you have enough money and power you can beat the system and get more favorable treatment.
Black or white doesn't matter so long as you don't embarrass the guys in charge. Do that and spitting on the sidewalk will get you 10 to 20. Like OJ. Although he best the capital murder charge he spit on the sidewalk and....
Look around at the politicians that grow fat and rich at our expense and manage to live wonderful lives even after they get caught with their fingers in the cash register.
So many get a free pass because their bosses are just as guilty and complicit. Maybe even more.
1
What is there in the American culture that adores, worships, and idolizes celebrities ? And for how long as this celebrity been lying to all of us and given us a false idol so many ran to see as a role model ?
The real heroes are in other places- classrooms, patrol cars, hospitals, factories and farms-
These people may not seem so glamorous, but they are the core of America.
25
Ironic to see Crosby convicted of crimes similar to accusations against Kavanaugh but that are dismissed out of hand by Republican leadership.
38
So thankful that he immediately was sent to prison.
He will spend a great deal of money going thru the appeal process while wearing an orange jumpsuit sitting in a tiny cell. Justice was served. He is a serial rapist. He is a perfect example why the statute of limitations on rape charges should be changed.
19
In msryland where kavanot lives it already has been.
He’s headed down that road, the arrogant self righteous hypocrite.
Did she return the 3.4 million she took the first time around. The first time when the prosecution did not find enough evidence to charge? Bigger than Cosby and Constand what has happened to our criminal justice system when after 1st mistrial (in which outside testimony never should have been allowed) the prosecutor and judge can bring in more "witnesses" whose statements true or not had zero bearing on the case at hand. That is they had nothing, no evidence to contribute to the case at hand. How is it determined that a person who has not been accused since 2004 is a sexually violent predator? He should be out on appeal. I am not convinced of his guilt nor of his innocence. I am convinced that for this system to work the way it is designed that sometimes the "guilty go free". As to the celebrity money angle, Polanski, Allen, Weinstein, all those resigning congressmen, politicians, including the current president, businessmen etc., are all still out here. What do they have in common?
8
@Mr. K.
Weinstein has not gone to trial yet. Weiner is in prison. Polanski, it is true, has not paid for his crime but he is not now residing in the US and cannot be extradited.
One major problem, though, is finding appropriate statutes of limitation. Should alleged violent or “non-violent” sexual offenses have longer statutes of limitation? Statutes of limitation, in many cases, are what is preventing many priests, and men like Weinstein, from being criminally charged for all or some of their alleged or certain offenses.
Nevertheless should someone who allegedly mugged another or a non-violent or relatively minor drug offender or dealer be able to be charged decades after their crimes? How are people going to get fair trials as witnesses may become ill or die, as memories may fail? There has to be a balance among fairness to the alleged perpetrator, the victim and the seriousness of offenses. In such cases aren’t statutes of limitation proper?
BTW, re. Cosby, this is a criminal trial’s verdict and sentence. People have a right to pursue alleged perpetrators in civil proceedings. That is where the monetary settlements may come into play—as a result of trial verdicts or pre-trial settlements. In some cases insurance pays. A victim of rape who receives a monetary award, as well as having her rapist criminally convicted and sentenced,is not double-dipping as you imply in sentence one; monetary damages do not obviate the need for, or propriety of, punishment.
3
They made Cosby the example. Here in lies the racist part of this case people that don’t seem to understand why race is being brought up. Many in the industry have gotten away with worse like actually raping someone but not one has been made the example. They get some bad press and they are back to their lives.
2
Whiteness.
Did you hear his lawyer's statement after the sentencing, really.
2
Good. A precedent has been set. A blind 81 year old black man has been sentenced to a stiff sentence for crimes committed long ago.
I hope the American Justice system remembers this instance of Justice when dealing with the most egregious predator, both sexual and otherwise, when it comes time to hold him to account for the many crimes he is guilty of.
Needless to say, I am talking about the current President of the United States.
38
He did a lot of good for America.
4
Comparisons are being drawn to Cosby and Kavenaugh; since both happened decades ago. It is a valid comparison.Women who have been abused have a right to justice. Kavenaugh is being revealed to be a liar; certainly. His college roommate exploded his story about drinking in school;it was illegal under age drinking.More brave women come forward daily. Kavenaugh will be found to be an abuser . NO to Brett Kavenaugh. Ray Sipe
18
One powerful predator down, many to go. Next on the docket: Harvey Weinstein.
16
Should be 10 years minimum. If he were to die in prison that would be some measure of justice.
12
As I read the comments about this story, I am perplexed by the ones thaty is too old for jail.
Is the Golden State Rapist, at 72, too old to go to trial? Were the aging Nazis from World War II too old to be found and tried?
I think that these men, have not an ounce of remorse. So when I read comments about Cosby having to deal with this the rest of his life, so let him be free, it infuriates me. He is not sorry. He doesn't think he did anything wrong.
So, because he hasn't drugged and raped someone in these past few years, then he's allowed to not be responsible for his actions?
37
I feel exactly the same way!!
3
Amen. And if you think about it … isn’t it actually more lenient to imprison someone in their declining years than to lock them up in their prime?
1
Finally, some degree of justice for these women and all women who face the violence of powerful men especially those who feel no degree of responsibility or remorse. Who do you think you are?
16
Today was the first time since this mess began that I've seen a look of shame on Bill Cosby's face.
I suspect that he's feeling this way because starting tonight, he's going to have to sleep in a crummy prison cot in a crummy prison cell and eat what the prison gives him. He'll wear a prison uniform instead of fancy tailored shirts, and will learn firsthand that prison guards are not valets.
I do not believe for one moment that he's ashamed of what he did to dozens of women.
I hope that this case, the Aaron Persky recall, and --- ideally --- more convictions will finally start to change the culture of misogyny in this country. I'm not holding my breath on that one, but at least Cosby is getting what he deserves.
20
I doubt it was shame. My guess is self-pity.
1
@Gabrielle Rose, you’re right. After I wrote that comment, I realized it was more a look of “I never thought this would happen to me.”
1
I never really knew what he was talking about, "Spanish Fly".
I'm glad he's finally behind bars.
6
As eloquent as he was in using the English language on "The Cosby Show", could he not have least said, "I'm sorry ".
14
He's not sorry.
3
Trump and Kavanaugh may not have resorted to drugs, but both have demonstrated themselves to be sexual predators. How many more women will come forward? Evangelical Christians should be embarrassed in showing their support for these two clowns. It is enough to question one’s faith.
15
Wow... what a tragedy.
1
First offender? Nice try.
5
This rotten man has caused so much pain to so many women and he gets just 3 to 10 years. It is abhorrent, that he even has a chance at being released. I will never understand why the jury declared a mistrial last year. Is dozens of women sharing their stories of being drugged and raped not enough for good prison time for this subhuman Cosby?
10
Busloads of rock 'n roll icons have long been celebrated for their drug-fueled sexual exploits with teenage groupies. Cosby is in prison. What about the others, some of whom openly brag of their "scores?"
9
@M Davis I don’t have direct experience but is it not also the groupies who feel they scored?
2
Now let’s go after the priests who abused and sexually assaulted children and adults and bring them to justice.
33
Now get this creep off the tv for good. Thank you.
16
Can the other actors on his show sue him? They have lost income because of his crimes.
1
Justice has been served. Cosby is finally in jail. His crimes date back decades. He's the Fatty Arbuckle of the new century....gone but not forgotten.
8
Once again, props to Hannibal Buress for keeping it 100. From his standup:
“Pull your pants up black people, I was on TV in the ‘80s,” Buress, a black man, said during the bit, referring to Cosby’s time as the lead actor in The Cosby Show, and to Cosby’s regular habit of telling black youth in America that the reason they lacked opportunity is because they were not behaving appropriately.
“Yeah, but you rape women, Bill Cosby,” the joke continued, referring to several accusations against Cosby that had previously been aired but largely ignored publicly. “So turn the crazy down a couple notches.”
Buress then turned to the members of the audience who may not have believed him. Check it out for yourselves, he told them.
“Google ‘Bill Cosby rape,’” he said. “That … has more results than ‘Hannibal Buress.’”
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/bill-cosby-guilty-verd...
5
Three years in a mediocre hotel is tough enough on a 81 year old. Three years in jail will be hell for him. Don't think this is a nothing sentence. 365 times 3 is a heck of a lot of days when you are 81. And maybe it will be times 10.
9
Cosby's 3-year prison sentence is hardly commensurate with the indefinite imprisonment of Ms. Constand in the hell of her endless pain and suffering that have ruined her life.
I do not believe that revenge is the essence of justice. If it were, this criminal would be subject to something unmentionable. However, the magnitude of a penalty should reflect proportionate condemnation of the harm suffered by the victim(s) for whatever meager reassurance that may provide - and - signal to ALL observers that law abiding decency is not a negotiable option.
7
I’m sorry, but I don’t go along with this “ruined for the rest of her life” bit.
Sure she was traumatized from the assault, there is no doubt of that. But people are generally resilient and many overcome far worse things than this. To say her entire life is now ruined because of it, is just overly dramatic nonsense.
For instance, look at what John McCain overcame...not just one assault, but years of daily assaults. Assaults that left him physically crippled.
So please with the drama. All it does is distort things.
4
Too bad you can’t ask John McCain whether he thinks it’s a fair comparison. Or maybe it’s just as well because you might have been ashamed by the outcome.
2
Rape is a crime that keeps on giving. These women have suffered permanent damage, and I'm supposed to be concerned about the man who is a serial rapist? I don't give a damn how old he is, or that he's legally blind, or that this could be a death sentence. He's a man who thought money and power would allow him to destroy lives with impunity. Let him sit in prison and ponder this thought: "Who is responsible for your being here?" Not these women, not the justice system, not the judge: you are, Mr Cosby. No one else.
33
Justice is done. Bill Cosby deserves it - even-though justice is not always fair - as he should have been in jail all this time waiting for his sentence if he would have been a poor man. His age and infirmities is not an excuse not to serve his time for these crimes.
Thank you Ms Costand for your tenacity and courage.
21
The child inside me is amazed by this new world where boys who do bad things to girls get punished. That wasn't my expectation as a child.
18
But not the other way round, eh?
Today I am both happy and sad.
I am happy that a vicious predator has been brought to justice.
I am sad that Cosby was unable to live up to the ideal of Cliff Huxtable.
I am happy because this is the first death blow against the powerful and entitled who continue to have their way with vulnerable people.
I am sad because we continue to put partisan politics ahead of truth and justice.
18
@Lamar Johnson There was no "ideal of Cliff Huxtable." He was a fictional character. Cosby was always a phony and a predator. Hoping for fiction to come true is a fool's errand.
17
I'm sure Dr. Ford's "beautiful young spirit was crushed" as well.
17
So it ends for the man who scolded black young men, telling them to pull their pants up. Irony, thy name is Cosby.
20
i feel that. but he never admitted it, never apologized. so does he feel shame, or the same privilege that made him feel he could do what he did over and over and over
7
Can't wait until they are all in jail. Trump, Weistein, O'reilly, Clinton, on and on.....
8
At 81 years old, what real justice is being given to anyone that was allegedly assaulted by Mr. Cosby? There is no way to know the full scope of what happened because no one spoke up when they could. Cosby was for almost 3 decades was one of the most known comedians with a #1 show and is probably one of the most well known pitchman in the world. While I am truly disappointed at Mr Cosby's actions, I'm just as disappointed at the rush to lock Mr Cosby with no visible evidence or corroboration of these incidents...
6
@TestTest Just FYI Cosby himself admitted to drugging and assaulting women in a deposition...
15
Cosby had his day in court. He had the finest attorneys money can buy. He was found guilty because the evidence led to that conclusion. Justice has been served for all of us who could never report what happened to us because we knew no one would believe us. Today there is hope for victims of rape that we might yet be believed. And a warning to rapists that they might pay for their crime.
2
It is not whether the criminal act was perpetrated by a man in his 60's or 70's or only 17 that matters, what matters is are there people still suffering from what you did and whether what you did changed and damaged their lives forever. This standard should apply to high and low, to rich actors and ambitious politicians who want a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court.
27
why is trump still president? why is kavanaugh still a nominee for the supreme court?
65
It’s so easy to feel bad for Mr. Cosby. For so long we only saw his best side. He really was America’s dad, and no one wants to see an 81 year old blind man go to prison.
After reading Ms. Constrand’s statement, however, it’s clear to me this man deserves to spend his remaining years in jail. He has been allowed for decades to run free and commit heinous crimes while his victims had to surmount a complex and uncaring judicial system to get justice. He now must live with the loneliness and guilt he caused his victims.
There is no more appropriate punishment than taking away his remaining years on earth, the same way he took the prime years of the lives of so many others.
41
Nope. Never felt sorry for him, never will. He feels no guilt. That's why he won't apologize.
2
America’s dad, and America’s president, have so much in common. Justice will be done.
One of the most interesting features of the continuing #MeToo wave of scandals is the way it focuses attention on our culture of celebrities and powerful individuals. And on anxieties concerning the privileges we expect people to be able to earn. Many of these celebrity men may have been seduced by their entitlement, in an ultraliberal culture where forms of enforcement and lawlessness both can be extreme.
Our media culture provides a mechanism for a public discourse that both contextualizes and substitutes for a more properly political one by basing it upon uses of criminal law, and the fact that somehow many people think they are above it. (Poor criminals are mostly rather "below" it).
Celebrities in the arts and other enterprises are exposed. And they are presumed to have virtue. So it means something to show that some do not. This is done through a mechanism that is also at the root of the media-celebrity culture: the exemplary case. Media discourse on crime is exemplary be definition, the point of the crime story being to focus attention on a threat to public order that authorities can solve. But if they cannot?
Everyone agrees that these sex abuse claims all turn on structures of relationships that are deeper than fame or any particular social privilege.
The media framework has worked well in calling attention to these problems by examining exemplary cases. We should also reflect on the limits of the paradigm. And ask what else is needed.
2
In the TV news conference the prosecutor cited the victim advocates who helped during this trial. I didn’t know about this and I was very impressed by all the professionals who helped that the prosecutor singled out on camera.
Looking up victim advocates I found positive information that would give crime victims needed support to come forward.
Per The National Center for Victims of Crime:
“Advocates offer victims information, emotional support, and help finding resources and filling out paperwork. They may go to court with victims, may contact criminal justice or social service agencies. They also staff crisis hotlines, run support groups, or provide in-person counseling.
Some serve in police stations, prosecutor's offices, courts, probation or parole departments, or prisons. They may staff private, nonprofit organizations such as sexual assault crisis centers or domestic violence programs.”
6
Cosby has a lot stronger appeals case than most. The jury verdict is depositive on his conduct. Whether it will stand as a criminal conviction remains to be seen.
2
He may have a case for an appeal, but he will still be in prison while he pursues that course of action.
6
I have a daughter and two grand daughters. I cannot forgive him, I cannot fathom him. I just feel so let down by him.
8
@Rick Girard "Let down?" What the heck were you expecting? He's an actor, not your grandfather.
9
If Cosby can do it, anyone can be sexually abusive. He relied on his status and reputation to victimize so many women - at least the system seems to finally be starting to work as it should.
3
Why don't we remove the statute of limitations on sexual predation & rape -- to allow women to have the time they need to come forward? Cases brought at a late date would have to meet certain evidentiary criteria -- I'll leave that to the legal system -- so we can try to weed out any possible retaliatory or otherwise motivated claims . . . as well as claims which may unfortunately not have legal merit. Yes, it would be a heck of a complicated law to write fairly, I understand, but it has to be better than excluding certain cases of a serial rapist because the crimes occurred too long ago. Especially given the embarrassment and self-doubt that so many feel after becoming the victim of one of these predators.
I would like to say that I find today doubly saddening. I am most saddened by the things Cosby did to the victims and how he stole from them for a few minutes of personal pleasure. I am happy if they get some measure of solace from the sentencing. But as others have said, I idolized Cosby from my childhood and used to recite many of his routines by heart. Now I can't even listen to them. He's a sick man. I pray for the victims. I pray for Cosby's family and all who are dependent upon him for their livelihood. And yes, I pray for Cosby.
5
What about his wife? The great enabler? Think she knew nothing. Guess again. Bill and Camilla will get their just deserts when history is written. With all his money charm and charisma, this is what he really is. A rapist.
12
Stuff women are tired of hearing:
It wasn’t me.
I don’t remember it.
It’s not who I am.
I’m a family man.
It was a long time ago.
It was consensual.
It wasn’t sexual intercourse. (I was a virgin - a la Kavanaugh)
I could not have done it because I was [a good student] [went to church] [insert other ruse].
It if happened, it should have been reported at the time.
It’s all political.
46
@GH “It depends on what the meaning of ‘is’ is” (Bill Clinton)
Cosby's arrogance and blanket denials--with wife by his side--are not unlike Kavanaugh's current stance.
23
IMO he's getting off easy considering how many women he's victimized over the years. He may be an old man now but that doesn't excuse what he's done. The sentence should have been spending the rest of his life in prison.
11
The judge's sentencing can't satisfy everyone but I think it is a good fair moderate sentence. I doubt he will get far on appeals. The judge was careful to lay out his reasoning in allowing five women to testify as victims, if another judge can disagree with the pattern of abuse being likely and therefore must to presented at trial,this appeals judge is going to really have to dig to find anything to hang an appeal on - IMHO.
3
Cosby’s sentence is more than well deserved, but how telling is it that this black man is carted off to jail pending appeal while on the same day in New York, a Federal Court allows that thief Sheldon Silver out of jail while he awaits his appeal.
9
@Kayemtee
In this case, I think it goes to the criminal vs. civil, non-violent nature of the crimes—though you could argue that Silver’s offenses are egregious. Cosby has been out on bail since 2015!
The people I really feel sorry for are the low-level non-violent alleged offenders who sit in the likes of Rikers because neither they nor their families could make a very low bail... I do not at all feel sorry fro Cosby.
1
@Kayemtee
Silver has not been adjudged a sexually violent predator.
Hmmm, now that Cosby is on his way to prison, I wonder if the guy in the White House is getting nervous......
9
Am glad that he will not be allowed to remain free on bail. He finally will taste the horror of being held captive against your will and pay his debt to society. Am thrilled that the victims are now being heard and this is a good step forward for all victims of sexual violence- and warning to all predators that you are not above the law, no matter what facade you wear.
12
The Cosby verdict and sentencing will hopefully help us stop thinking celebrities are anything more than just people. We hand them so much power with our worship, following their every breath on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. If we stop putting them on a pedestal, maybe their lack of character wouldn't be so shocking and their victims wouldn't have as difficult a time to hold them accountable.
3
There are thousands of men who need to face the same fate. No doubt some predators are mentally ill and will continue, but, may this reckoning discourage or stop many others. Since they show no remorse the best tools we have is our culture and our courts.
6
Before 2015 he could have gotten 65 letters from women saying all kinds of wonderful things about him.
12
Hey Donald Trump, justice is coming!
22
For raping a woman he should get maximum sentence!! When women will finally win right for our bodies to be untouchable? Rape is same as torture. I can't imagine light sentencing on this and I don't care the age of the criminal.
10
Molested women. You’re confusing him with Weinstein the rapist.
1
And to think if he was white and a Republican, he’d have a chance at a Supreme Court Seat.
33
Compared to the life-long sentence he so brutally imposed upon his victim, this is an astonishingly brief sentence.
14
How awful is to the be crowned Americas father and then years later be a convicted sex offender. Glad to see these predators are finally getting what they deserve!! I wish the punishment better fit the crime!
5
Justice has come for Bill Cosby.
Thank you to Andrea Constand and all the courageous women who came forward after years of thinking nobody would believe them that Bill Cosby raped them.
Today, women were heard.
11
This case is a travesty of justice. Mr. Cosby's due process rights were clearly violated by this parade of so-called accusers at the trial. If this verdict stands it will be a disgrace to our justice system
5
I’m, you’ve heard of juries, right? And judges? And evidence? Just how is this a travesty? It isn’t. He had two trials and has been convicted as a serial predator and rapist. He deserves every bit of punishment he gets.
2
Cosby expressed no remorse- and still got a light sentence. He’ll be out in a year and a half.
5
I think there is little doubt that his conviction will be vacated on appeal. On her case, alone, a conviction could not be obtained, nor could it be obtained with the testimony of one other alleged victim. It is an error so profound that reversal seems inevitable. My guess is the appellate court will order him free pending appeal.
7
Too bad, he's too old to go to prison imo....
3
Womp womp. Cosby wasn’t too old to rape his victim in 2004, so he’s not too old to go to jail now.
5
Thank you Judge O'Neill.
Thank you Andrea Constand for your years in pursuit of justice for all those who survived Bill Cosby.
Thank you to the sisterhood who stood with Andrea Constand,
End of the line for this supremely evil man.
Women were finally heard today!
15
I understand that people are angry that he got away for years but putting in jail a 81 year old blind person is just cruel and I don't think it serves anyone. It seams to me that the sentencing in the US is very cruel in general, for what I read in the papers, so his treatment is probably consistent with the one others suffers, but I think that in general a more human approach is more useful to society.
5
I think he all of sudden got blind and crippled the first day he showed up at court. He feels nothing but self-pity and I’m glad no one bought the charade. I wonder how the prisoners will treat him. Especially if he tries to be funny, which he never was in the first place.
1
In addition to the harshest prison sentence, I'd like to see Cosby fined millions of dollars which would then be funneled to a foundation in support of the #MeToo movement.
10
Or the money could go to agencies that provide services for women who have suffered abuse, rape, or domestic violence. I am so glad to see this piece of trash put behind bars.
1
To Andrea Constand, and all of the other women who stayed the course in order to tell your stories and seek justice even when Andrea was the only one who was within the statute of limitations:
You are my heroines.
And, sorry if this is snarky ---- but, Harvey? Enjoy your freedom. It's not going to last forever. Unless you have the legal right and ability to leave the country and go to a non-extradition country. You might want to call your lawyers, like right now.
8
Looking at this frail old man considered a "violent, sexual predator". Maybe in his prime. Not today. Somewhere, somehow the Justice System failed. These women should have had reckoning years ago but Cosby was too successful at the time. Add that to his criminal standings--Successful While Black. Very sad for everyone.....
9
Given what he did and to many women he got a slap on the wrist. 3 years minimum, he'll be out in a 1 or 2. A travesty of justice. I'd like to see the judge's recent bank deposits please. Something stinks in Pennsylvania.
5
Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde if there ever was one.
17
It’s a life sentence for an 81 year old, meanwhile Les Moonves and Elliot Spitzer are free and enjoying unimaginable riches. Sure is good to be White.
9
WADR, you need to do more research.
Spitzer paid for sex; yes, a crime. Not one that is often charged, but, still, a crime. But, not sexual harassment or sexual assault. He paid money for sex. Consensual sex. No woman brought any case against him. Because no woman was assaulted. He was caught because of money-bank-movements. And, he did pay a price. Career wise, and family and marital wise.
Moonves -- that's still relatively new. Publicly. Many people knew, for years.
The Cosby conviction and jail sentence is not about him being black. He admitted to the quaalude stuff in a deposition years' ago.
Oh, and just because you made this a black/white thing?
I still suspect that OJ killed Nicole and Ron. And, that is a personal opinion. Which I am entitled to express.
6
Bill Cosby deserved at least this sentence if not more. He is indeed a sexual predator and his refusal to address the court and acknowledge his guilt and responsibility confirms that he has no guilt, no remorse and no regret for his sexual aggression. He also doesn't have a clue about his own vile being. Cosby doesn't get it and never will. Perhaps several years in prison will compel him to consider why he is sitting in a cell but, I doubt it.
I don't feel sorry for him. He deceived and assaulted women for his own sexual gratification. He betrayed everyone. There is one matter though that I don't understand. In this case the victim voluntarily returned to be with Mr. Cosby. There is no plausible explanation for this behavior. It doesn't make any sense. Nevertheless Mr. Cosby is still guilty of abuse and sexual assault.
Farewell Mr. Cosby. "It is time for justice."
10
Hallelujah, tears of pain, tears of joy
These hunched old men, trying for one last time to prey on sympathies were and are destructive predators. Lets keep at the forefront all the damage done.
A sliver of justice, finally
11
Justice at last. Thank God, Almighty, justice at last.
11
Maybe the next time a man thinks of drugging and raping a girl / woman he will think twice.
14
Allowing 5 other women to testify was the reason Cosby was convicted. Those allegations were never found true by a judge or jury. They were not confessed to or acknowledged in any way by Cosby. The first trial where Constance's credibility was the primary proof resulted in no conviction. She had been paid millions to settle a civil claim.
I am not saying or implying Cosby is innocent. I think he probably (more likely than not) is a sexual predator. But I am also saying he did not receive a fair trial, but was instead convicted because a mob mentality created by a parade of accusers was allowed to infect the trial. I would bet his bail is reinstated and his conviction is overturned. The 14 year delay in bringing charges because the victim first wanted the civil damages more than criminal justice will likely prove fatal.
11
@Michael Shore
The "parade of accusers" was comprised of women too frightened to come forward until someone else had the courage to do it first. THAT is the real problem here. The "mob" should not have existed, but did because of the way the system treats women who speak up, who object, and who demand justice. If you don't want to see accusers step forward en masse, then don't be part of a system that gives them no other choice.
10
Strongly disagree that his trial wasn't "fair". Prosecution was permitted witnesses to speak to previous behavior and Mr. Cosby was offered the opportunity to bring his own witnesses to testify to his good character. His previous deposition combined with his diminished public stature led to this guilty verdict instead of a result like the first trial.
3
Wrong. He had two trials and was fairly and legally convicted by a jury of his peers. That’s how it works here in the old USA. Got it?
2
I grew up in a predominantly white community. The Cosby show allowed me to grow up with the realization that families are the same regardless of skin color. When I moved to the city I didn't struggle with the biases that so many people from my background struggle with because of his show. He opened hearts and minds and really helped expand tolerance.
It hurts when your heroes fall. He is a predator who used his platform to prey on women. His fame and his wealth allowed him to silence his victims. He debased his platform and destroyed 60+ lives.
I don't feel any sadness that he's going to spend time in prison. The only people who deserve pity are his victims and his cast members who's good work to expand racial tolerance will forever be tarnished by his actions. What a waste.
16
Cosby is a democrat so they needed evidence. Otherwise they could have just had Ford accuse him and saved all that time and money holding a trail.
7
He's going to do about a year and a half of that time then early parole. Many NYT readers focus on white privilege, Here's a African American male that in many ways is experiencing the same privilege. It's Celebrity and Wealth privilege.
9
He used his power, wealth, and prestige to hurt women.
Straight to jail is the least society can do to protect others.
I hope Brett is paying attention.
15
@David Henry - are you saying that any woman who visits a man's house is far game? Deserves to be drugged, assaulted and raped? That is reprehensible!
2
@David Henry - oops, my comment to you was meant for Rosalyn. With apologies...
Where do you see that in DHenry’s post? It looks to me like he’s saying Cosby got what he deserved and Brett should get the same.
1
An American tragedy! But I can't help feeling more sorry for the old man than for the victims. After all, these women, now stars, were not children when it happened. They willingly went and returned to his house on several occasion.
6
@Rosalyn - Are you suggesting and any woman who visits a man's house should be drugged, assaulted and raped??? That is reprehensible!
6
@cc
No, only that she should have not visited him. Not the second time!
Women have been infantilized by our culture. They need to take charge of their safety. Period.
Prison time. It’s a start.
11
Mr. Cosby is heading straight to prison as the judge denied him a request that he remain free on bail while he pursues an anticipated appeal. He was emotionless as he was led from the courtroom in handcuffs by four sheriff’s deputies.
I cannot wait to see trump go to prison the same way!
I'm counting the days.
11
If Cosby had been acquitted, would you trust him around your daughters? If Kavanaugh is appointed to the Supreme Court, do you think he can rule fairly in cases involving sexual violence, women’s control of their own bodies, any case involving white privilege vs not white-not privileged? This is a mindset: we (white men) speak, you (everybody else) listen. @metoo challenged that authority, and Congress’ response will be to seat Kavanaugh.
7
The timing on this sentencing is stunning re: the Kavanaugh hearings.
5
@Lillies
Yes. It's as though the universe is delivering a message---to a nation of idiots who are letting the cradle of democracy's most hopeful form slip away.
6
He is unrepentant
The sentence will give him some time for reflection
More power to the me too movement
13
3-10 for a serial rapist is a slap on the wrist.. And then he has the unmitigated gall to play the "Race Card".. Is there a psychological term for an arrogant sociopath??
6
I hope Mr Cosby gets the full ten . With his violent sexual predator status that should bring justice to his victims. The rich men and GOP politicians have gotten into a culture of corruption with their money. They think they are above the law. Well I am for big government because we will have to build more jails to hold these rich men and politicians. There seems to be more and more of this type of man getting in deep trouble. If Mr Cosby gets out in a year then that sentence will be unfair for women all over.
2
While he is going to Jail, Kavanaugh is heading to the supreme Court. You gotta Love our Justice system.
9
His lawyer keeps saying Cosby’s conviction and sentence are “racist”. It is not. It is the law being applied to all regardless of race, wealth, religion, sexual orientation, and disability. Any other outcome would be wrong.
14
Another example of wealth being able to keep someone from serving a jail sentence when they so clearly deserve it. If he were a poor man he would have been waiting in jail for his sentence and also though-out the appeal process. Not only is justice in American not blind, it's also for sale.
322
@Gichigami He will be in jail throughout the appeals process. That's what denying him bail today did. Expect him to be treated as a minor god in prison by everyone who remembers Old Weird Harold, but it's still prison. Too bad he wasn't put there 20 years ago.
5
@Gichigami
True as it may be in many other cases,in this case Cosby will await his appeal in prison. So your claim does not apply here.
@Gichigami
Justice has always been for sale. You just figuring that out?!
1
I will never understand why Bill Cosby did committed these crimes. The cult of celebrity surely would've guaranteed him all the extramarital company he wanted. Did he want his victims so docile as to appear to be dead? Is necrophilia what drove him to risk and ultimately ruin an incredible legacy?
I hope his victims are helped a bit by today's verdict, though real justice can never be served.
What a waste.
9
I've never been a fan (his arrogance repulsed me) and I am a #metoo-er, of course, being a woman in my 60's. So, why then, do I feel like this is a fair sentence? I DO take into consideration his age and blindness. His real punishment is his loss of idolization, wealth and audience (for the most part). His charmed life has been shattered. All of this due to the courage of his accusers, thank you! Whom does it benefit for him to sit in jail longer than 3 years or so? Actually, I would have been more pleased with a 10 year house arrest. Can you imagine? But that would be a cruel and unusual punishment for others who live there.
2
81 these days is not so old for a person wealthy enough to have had the finest medical care, when there is no evidence of mental decline. (80 is the new 65 for these folk, in my opinion.) Nor does being "legally blind" mean the person is sightless. As a lawyer, I believe this was a just sentence. As a rational being, I hope he serves time.
9
Maybe now he can drop the pretense of actually needing that cane that he was always seen with during court visits. You know, the prop that he carried in his hand but never used to walk with.
Right up to the end he appeared to be a manipulator, soliciting pity and partiality for his age and alleged infirmity. Offering no acknowledgement or apology to his victims, even at sentencing.
"Mr. Cosby sat quietly and made no reaction."
9
At least 40 years overdue...
16
Imagine if someone robbed banks year after year – perhaps drugging the night guard each time in order to gain entry to the premises. Imagine this bank robber enjoying his wealth for decades and not getting caught until he was over 80 years old. How likely would people give him a pass, because he grew old while robbing bank after bank?
But in this case, instead of banks, women were violated. Living, breathing women. Mr. Cosby is lucky that his three 10-year sentences were rolled into a single 10-year sentence. He is a fool to appeal the charges. Dang, he filled those prescriptions and drugged the women, so that he could assault them at his own pace, and take pleasure in it.
Now we have to get busy. There is a long line of big, powerful men who have been overpowering and assaulting woman. It's time to stop them – now! Go after the ones who have, so far, escaped the consequences. And perhaps even more important, stop allowing young offenders, so that they cannot repeat such criminal behavior for decades before being brought to court.
9
Bill Cosby's character will show up in prison. Or not.
He will have the honor and privilege to help so many young kids who desperately need a good father figure.
I can only hope Mr. Cosby does not choose to say he has been robbed and justice has been miscarried. For that will hurt those kids who could easily learn to look up to him, should he choose to help them out of their own predicament.
I have witnessed this done by many prisoners who chose to do good in there.
Let's see what Bill Cosby is made of. For real.
5
Justice has been served. And hopefully this sentencing will send a message to others like Weinstein, Moore, the orthopedic surgeon in Newport Beach, Kavanaugh, and Trump. Your vaulted position in life and your money will not save you from prosecution.
15
Just one word: justice.
7
If only he had pleaded guilty it would have been some step toward healing for his many victims who cannot get justice due to the statute of limitations. In contrast to his TV family, the Huxtables, Cosby had no decency in the end and put these women through having to take the stand. I think that there should not be any more compassion or benefit of the doubt for him because of his age or health. He could have made it easier for everyone concerned, but he chose not to.
8
Just for the record, "legally blind" does not mean white cane/sunglasses/stereotypical blind. It's a legal measurement of how far people can see compared to those with perfect 20-20 vision: if they can only see at 20 feet what others can see at 200 feet, they are legally blind. But that is not a terrible handicap, since there are always new ways to correct the problem.
I was legally blind as a child, so my glasses were strong, with very thick lenses. Those "jar-bottom glasses" were not a good look, but as time went on, I was able to get rid of them altogether. There is no reason to paint Cosby as that poor octogenarian "blind" man - except to make the whole thing seem more dramatic.
20
@Judith Schlesinger, PhD....thanks for your informative comment on the meaning of 'legal blindness'!
The real concern is moral blindness.
3
So maybe he could get glasses? Problem solved. He is blind to the rights of all of the women he violated. And for that he deserves prison time.
1
@Judith Schlesinger, PhD I have 20/400 vision without contacts. I'd say I have poor eyesight focus, but not anywhere close to being blind. What a joke.
1
Clearly, Pennsylvania is not California where Cosby is likely to have been left free while the case is on appeal.
He's guilty as sin by I do not see how his deposition in the previously settled case is admissible. It violates his right against self-incrimination. It crosses the line into entrapment. The shame is that the prosecutors probably could have made the case without the deposition.
4
@Jack, search Cornell Law, Rule 32, for the law allowing use of previous depositions.
3
Little heard in the #metoo movement (because it's particularly hard for such victims to speak up) are the stories of girls and women who have been victimized by their own fathers, uncles, and other trusted male figures. As the veritable archetype of the "good father" everywhere, Cosby's offenses are particularly repugnant. He has extinguished not only the self esteem and well being of his victims, but the trust and regard of literally generations of people who looked up to him and trusted him. He deserves zero consideration due to age or infirmity. I only wish they had given him the max.
2
His wife is the blind one in that family.
34
Breaking News:
Bill Cosby next in line for Supreme Court justice
6
When will Donald follow Cosby? This is not fair!
13
The national hysteria continues.
5
So, our courts are able to convict black men; not surprised there. How about we start going after the (rich) white guys with the same gusto.
11
I think Weinstein’s eventual trial will be even more theatrical than this. But you’re right...we’ll see if he gets the same sentencing (when he should get worse, because he seems to have been even more prolific than Cosby). They both deserve the book to be thrown at them. I just hope, as you say, that white offenders are treated with the same harshness. Justice for the victims is paramount, irrespective of the race of the accused.
7
His problem is that as a black man he dared express conservative beliefs regarding the plight of African Americans in the ghettoes. The country is also in the grips of Me Too hysteria. At least he got a trial unlike poor Kavanaugh.
America's dad, or whatever this sexual predator was once called, is now America's hypocrite.
2
His risk to offend is just one consideration in sentencing. A sentence is also a punishment.
If he weren’t rich and famous, would people advocating house arrest feel the same?
5
I wonder if the victims can now sue him for damages? It's time to account for their suffering.
5
Just like in the sci-fi movies, the black guy is ALWAYS the first to die while the golden boys get to fight another day.
Does Cosby deserve his fate? Yes, I'm sad to say. But if Weinstein, trump, et al do not also get their comeuppance, I would not be surprised in the least.
17
@A. Jubatus Weinstein has been charged with rape and sexual assault and is out on a million dollar bail, with an ankle monitor and no passport. just like Cosby got. It is only a matter of time before Weinstein is in jail, barring utter incompetence by the prosecutors.
2
Be patient and your wish will come true.
1
Andrea Costand is a hero. I will be celebrating her today. I hope she and all the other women that were victimized by that sociopath understand that they are heroes. Warriors. He thought he beat them but they won the war.
September 25th - Andrea Costand Day.
433
everyone, men and women, who question or diminish the impact of such acts on a victim, or question their validity need to read her impact statement....VERY powerful.
6
@MJC - Hear, hear!!
3
@MJC
It's *Constand*.
Best news in a long time. This guy needs to stay in jail, I don't care how old or how blind he is.
16
It was 50 years ago when I worked at the Playboy club that I used to watch this guy, drink & cigar in hand
leering (not "smiling" ... leering) and letching at the bunnies working in the bar,
likely wondering to himself how many pills it would take.
You had to be there to see it. Justice late, but justice served.
33
If only there were small phones capable of taking photos then!
2
While I have no sympathy for Cosby, I 'm sad for all of us who grew up enjoying his humor unaware of what a monster he was.
17
I noticed the following phrase in an April 13, 2018 NYT article: "Mr. Cosby’s defense team has taken a more aggressive stance toward Ms. Constand, describing her as a 'con artist.'" Hmmm... "con artist" ... where else have I heard that expression today?
23
Yes, just yes!
4
What about Trump?
17
What about Bill Clinton?
1
Forget Cosby, I’m thinking of Andrea Constand and the other women victims who have been saddled with years of psychological prison from this so called American daddy.
Justice served! Next?
10
Sorry, Mr. Cosby but 3 years in prison, which you richly deserve, is nothing to the life sentence you forced on Andrea Constand and many other women who will take your sex and drug abuse with them to their graves. Their shame, guilt and humiliation have destroyed their lives forever.
Their families and friends will always view them through a different prism. They will forever be attached to you, not as respected individuals but as victims of your deliberate and well planned criminal career. In prison, you'll never be America's Dad, but a sorry spectacle of a man who was once America's darling.
16
Do they serve puddin pops in prison?
5
Not the kind you’re thinking of!
5
So, let me see if I've got this straight: a revered, though highly-flawed, black man is going to jail for 3-10 years for molesting women, while a lying drunk of a white man -- accused of doing the same thing -- is being considered for a seat on the highest court in the land.
Do I have that right?
58
@David Rives- the white man hasn't been convicted or had a trial, except in the media. That's why.
3
He has shown no remorse, given no apologies; he is not contrite. He deserves to go straight to jail and stay there. If he weren't rich and well-known, that is exactly what would have happened. No pity for this serial sexual predator.
13
Three to ten years for a violent sexual predator is a very light sentence; even more so that Cosby was not immediately remanded into custody to await the undoubtedly lengthly appeals process. This isn't justice, this is a sham!
6
He is in custody
2
Ridiculous. He'll serve three years and then go back to his huge homes and his $400 million net worth.
7 to 10 would have been more just.
8
If Mr. Cosby were white like Bill Clinton, he'd never have been prosecuted.
5
@Tyrone Clinton was impeached, and he didn't drug women.
4
@cc In the United States impeachment is only the first stage. Clinton was impeached by the House but the Senate failed to reach the required 2/3 of members vote to convict. Clinton was never criminally charged.
I am glad he is going to jail and not sent home while his attorneys appeal the decision. He was found guilty. He goes to jail. Simple. His age means nothing. If they can deport a 95-year old Nazi for his war crimes, they can put Bill Cosby in prison.
13
What Bill Cosby did is deplorable. However, these incidents happened so very long ago and expect the stories got greater with time. I doubt an 81-year-old blind man has the complete mental capacity to fight, is a threat, etc. Appeal for House Arrest.
3
Now we know why he played a gynocolegist on The Cosby Show.
7
They should have just given him prayer and penance like the Catholic priests got.LOL. That is an insult to the women of the world and that is who is running this country the GOP /culture of corruption. Democracy means vote at all costs to help stop this corruption.
5
@D.j.j.k. I think that very single Catholic priest who is accused should be prosecuted, tried in US courts and, if found guilty, sentenced to the max. They can all go to prison forever along w/Cosby.
3
Perhaps I missed something here...as in any remorse, regret or even understanding for the situation(s) of his victim/victims. For someone who experienced the loss of a child still to have not been humbled to the plight of others simply summarizes his character. Like his ego, it is large, but without stature.
5
A first offender?? Please. Sure, he is a first time convict, but his offense is hardly first time.
16
I would suggest that we still have quite a long way to go, considering it took realistically dozen of victims to give a sentence of only 3 years (possible up to 10).
We will have to come to real moment of justice for all (especially women) when one woman can step forward and be heard. (without anyone tearing them down)
Case in point - what is going on with the SCOTUS nominee.
17
"The bottom line, your honor, is nobody’s above the law,” said Mr. Steele. “Others in a similar situation need to understand that.”
Except that we have a worse offender, who even confessed on video, sitting in the White House.
23
The Black man goes to prison the white man goes to the Supreme Court.
36
Or becomes president. Sad but true. The reckoning may have to come with something a little more than hollow words...
5
You forgot to add the black man with money that those women and their lawyers want is going to jail. Today verdict screams, “Hey note to black folks, you can’t do what white folks do. No matter how rich you are. Know your place!” Nothing had changed!
3
Maybe he can share a cell with Harvey Weinstein & Donald Trump?
8
And Bill Clinton
Why are so many of the same people who attack Kavanaugh (an innocent MAN!) coming to the defense of a tawdry (known criminal and pervert) Bill Cosby?
4
It’s a joke, right? Ha, ha, ha!
2
Mr Trump, take notice.
“Payday, someday” is not only the title of a famous sermon. Your turn before the Judge is coming.
Time’s up, Mr Cosby.
5
Sexual predators must be exposed. There are no excuses, like "horseplay" or "they love it when I grab them by the ...".
To all those like Cosby, Kavanaugh, Trump and Spacey: Your time is truly up. #HadEnough
8
And meanwhile, a self-admitted white predator stalks the halls of the White House.
30
Hooray!
4
Is he the first of the sexual predators to pay for their crimes against women? One can only pray . . .
5
How the mighty have fallen!!
3
Many say that the age of innocence died when the Vietnam war happened. I think it was badly wounded but not dead. This may be the even that finally kills it. Clearly he deserved to be found guilty and there are more to come. But for a generation Bill Cosby and the Cosby Show was a groundbreaking, feel good environment where an African American family was not identified by their skin color but by their successes professionally and as a family unit. Yes, it was a show but so many of all races identified so closely to it and that felt the dream could be achieved. And its not that those things cannot still happen. But so much trust has now been shattered. Combine this scene with the disaster that is in our nation's capital and one questions all of our beliefs. This is not just a powerful person in Hollywood being brought down by their ego and actions like Weinstein. This really is much more of an impact on the psyche of America.
3
Justice prevails. I am so happy for Constand and all of the other women who have come forward amidst the victim-blaming and denigration.
10
It had to be. There is no other outcome...even for someone who brought us so much to fondly remember.
So what of those who have given us nothing of any value whatsoever, who have shamed all of us daily, who have been accused over and over of unforgivable behavior, who have gleefully admitted to such behavior?
When is that trial?
When is that examined and called to account?
What do I tell my daughter, day after day, who wonders and wonders?
7
Having been found guilty by a duly-empaneled jury of his peers, Mr. Cosby was found guilty of crimes committed by him as charged. The judge handed down a tough, yet fair, sentence as punishment.
Case closed, pending appeal. For him.
For them - his victims - however, they must continue to live with the scars of what he did to them for the rest of their lives, as they have been doing for the past years. They have been serving their sentences with no rights of appeal for crimes that were committed to - not by - them.
Three to ten years in prison is the best our system of criminal justice can do to him, but the system can never mete out full justice to his victims.
Even the great Bill Cosby is not too blind to see that.
5
Strangely, my own evolving (or devolving) point of view regarding the credibility of assault victims has run completely opposite to society's position on it. As a teenager and young adult, I absolutely believed any and all such claims 100%; never could I imagine that a girl would suggest that such a thing had happened if it really hadn't.
But I've had some interesting experiences as an adult. Not only have I seen women lie, cheat, manipulate, and steal, but I've also seen them rewrite their memories to suit however they feel *now* about an ex; I literally have seen women, months or years after the fact, convince themselves that consensual acts they participated in were actually not consensual, because they hated him so much now that it was otherwise impossible to make peace with having slept with him voluntarily in the past. Human memory is not just fallible, but also malleable, like a book whose words are permanently altered each and every time it is read.
I don't necessarily believe that Cosby's accusers are all intentionally lying (though some of them might be in the hopes of a payout). But I do believe that plenty of them were probably partying with him, freely using the drugs and expensive alcohols that typically surround celebrities, and letting their bodies go where they wanted to go... only to end up feeling ashamed of it months or years later, and looking to shift the blame over to him in order to salve their own shame at the things they did.
16
@PhoenixM Good points . Every story has 2 sides. It sounds like Mr Cosby has a lynch mob against him.
3
@PhoenixM - I wish you hadn't chosen this moment to express your doubts about women.
2
I believe her.
6
The message is loud and clear. Whether you are super rich or super influential at the end of the day justice will prevail.The lesson from Crosby. If you do the crime you will do the time. And that is exactly as it should be.
6
Let's wait and see what happens to a younger and whiter assailant before we declare victory!
5
Bill Cosby was and is an actor. To hold him in reverence because the character he played on TV was such a wonderful man is hopelessly naive. He was playing part, saying lines that were written for him, in a made-up role.
You wouldn't believe that an actor who played superman could really leap over a tall building with a single bound. Bill Cosby is not Dr. Huxtable.
17
@dutchiris.....does somebody ' holds him in reverence because of the character he played'? Who?
1
Bill Cosby earned this sentence. Now let him serve it in full. He had a choice; his victims did not.
The news this week has shown us the long arc of suffering that men unleash when they assault and humiliate women. Ms Constand and Dr Ford and Ms Ramirez are only the visible signs of a vast iceberg of harm, shame, depression, fear, grief and confusion borne by countless women who have been sexually accosted.
This is a moment for reflection, penance and the hope of better days for younger women and men.
12
This is the first person whose TV program mandated that I rush to a common room at University in 1965. I Spy was the program and I had grown up in an island where television was not yet available to me. He remained on my list of icons until relatively recently. No longer am I interested in reading, seeing or listening to any Cosby product. In a socio-political environment where this man should have been careful, he was the diametrically opposite. That this was proven in one case does not mean that that it is the only instance of this mans offenses. Rape is part of America's power structure. Bill Cosby's trip up the river defines a path deserved by others, many others regardless of colour, class and creed.
4
Very happy with the decision to put him in jail while he appeals. Poor people don't have the option of endlessly tying up the legal system while they sit at home; it's about time he saw some consequences for his actions.
13
Maybe this will help when Brett Kavanaugh is sentenced on Thursday.
14
Oh wait! He's going for a seat on the Supreme Court. Sorry, I'm getting sexual predators mixed up.
4
Three years in prison is a substantial sentence for a first offense of this type. Considering the defendant has no prior record, is 81 years old and blind, three years incarceration will be spent apart from others, probably in protective custody as he will be a target. His healthcare will be substandard. He may not be released at the end of the minimum if he does not acknowledge responsibility. For what is left of his life, he will be on a public website as a sexual predator, report quarterly to the State Police to be photographed, notify them of any change of address. He is the embodiment of shame.
2
@Heather In WC And, until now, Cosby has enjoyed decades of drugging, assaulting and raping women. This is not his first offense, it is his first gotcha. But he's been getting away with it for decades. And enjoying it. Three to ten years in prison is hardly penalty enough.
1
You’re forgetting the part about having millions of dollars for lawyers.
What a tragic end to what was an illustrious career. That such a public figure who did so much good for Americans, and African Americans in particular could also be a sexual predator surprised me. Cosby is paying his debt to society late and in poor health. The statement by the woman he raped is incredibly sad. That he took her youthful innocence and destroyed it for his own sexual pleasure is not something his defenders should forget in their loyalty to Cosby. Sorry for you Bill but I'm far more sorry for the women you preyed upon. The days of men getting away with sexual battery are over.
383
@Ken Solin
So true. As a kid, I used to ditch school here in NYC during the bad old days of the 70s, because school was too dangerous... instead I'd go to Lincoln Center and read books and listen to comedy albums. Cosby, George Carlin, Flip Wilson, they were such a part of this safe place, they felt like a part of who I was.
I cried for him... for her, for all of us. It's a loss for his legacy, his family members, the youth and innocence of all his victims and every part of their lives that were affected, and his fans who assumed we'd just love this man forever. Everyone loses, but I'm happy his victims' have been recognized and can now rest easy that their voices have been heard and their words have been believed.
@Ken Solin tragic end? How can that be? He drugged and raped women. It’s good riddance to him.
@Ken Soli
You eloquently stated what I was thinking, but could not find words for.
I pray the victims find peace and justice in this sentence, they demonstrated enormous courage to come forward. As for Crosby, the damage you inflicted on these woman is truly unforgivable and unforgettable, due to the henious violent nature of the crime. I pray all other women come forward to bring all sexual predators to court.
10
Thank you women everywhere, for so courageously coming forward, and righting these wrongs as best we can.
We must never ignore or downplay sexual assaults.
We need to be a country seeped in justice, we must be.
9
Something I never liked about the Cosby show was that every episode seemed to center on Cliff Huxtable randomly weaving a very sticky web for the pure pleasure, the sheer entertainment, of watching others get caught in it and struggle to free themselves of it.
Trapping others for one's own selfish purposes: How fitting to watch that very symbolism bring down Bill Cosby.
9
Yesterday, a man in New York was sentenced to 35 years jail for consensual sex with a 16-year-old, and today, a smirking serial rapist with 60 victims gets maybe 3 years in jail or house arrest, if he serves any time at all. What is wrong with this picture?
22
"prison would be too harsh a sentence for a 'blind octogenarian first offender.''
really? this was hardly his first offense. it was just the first one for which he faced consequences. too bad we didn't catch him after his first criminal act against a woman. he would have gotten the sentence he deserved.
16
With all of these misgivings of late happening surrounding the Cosby and the Supreme Court nomination, I have tried to gain more of an understanding of these problems and how they have been addressed over the years. I reread documents relating to Anita Hill and also, very interestingly, watched the you tube 1994 interview of Sam Donaldson interviewing Paula Jones. That was a real eye opener!! Bill Clinton had called Paula Jones "pathetic" and a "liar". They sure dragged her through the mud. My point being: When two people, no matter who they are, are in a "he said, she said" argument, nothing is too be gained. It reminds me of all of the playground arguments I had to settle all those years I taught school. It's no different. The best procedure is stop the accusations and the argument, have a professional investigation and non partisan review, come to a thoughtful and truthful agreement and move on.
1
Cause for celebration. Thanks to a brave and persistent Andrea Constand and all of her friends, family, and colleagues and unnamed women who supported her. It takes a village to stop sexual abuse.
17
Three years, that’s it?? Is that black privilege or Hollywood privilege? My, my, how the court system is completely unjust.
4
No such thing as black privilege, that’s reserved for the majority class. The fact that a black man is the first person sentenced to jail from the #metoo movement is an example of white privilege. He deserves to pay for his crimes, but so do CK Lewis, President Trump, Weinstein and a whole host of accused white men.
2
There will be no reduction in the horrific number of assaults and rapes of children and women until most of the men who rape and assault are treated like the criminals they are and are sentenced to die in prison. Until that day, we all - female and male - are in danger and are potential victims. The same holds true for the men under the employment of the American taxpayer via Pentagon Inc. Begin cleaning house of all those degenerate rapists, not just men who are politicians or entertainers or athletes. And if these men rape a child, they should receive either the death penalty or bona fide life behind bars, where they belong. Times up.
Somerset seems like a good place to house Mr. Cosby. It is a bit of a trip for his family to make, but he could bunk with Jerry Sandusky and swap tales of innocence.
10
Excellent decision by Judge Steven T. O'Neill in Norristown, PA today. Cosby, "a sexually violent predator" will be in the slammer for 3 - 10 years. So what that he's 81 years old? So what that his wife, his enabler, wasn't present for the sentencing? Too bad justice took so long for Cosby's journey to prison. Too bad term limits in sexual assault cases didn't extend back far enough to convict the predator of young women. "Aggravated indecency", my foot!
4
Among the important lessons I hope this case will teach is that women are still very much alone by themselves in this world, and need to keep a very close eye on men they approach for help and bars, parties, hotel and dormitory rooms they should stay out of.
6
These women were sentenced to far longer terms of mental anguish than was this man, how dare they pity him
10
Next up, Kavanaugh!
14
Our system of justice is inconsistent. Some sexual predators lose their jobs. Some go to prison. Some go to the White House.
53
@Janet
Humans everywhere ought raise better sons or not breed them. Looking at the dismal state of women all over planet earth, it appears heterosexual religious folk have the most broken genetics and raise the most dangerous vile male offspring.
2
@Janet: some get lifetime appointments to the Supreme Court...
1
Great great news....justice was actually served this time. I broke into tears when I heard this....Andrea's victory is a victory for every woman....this is very personal for millions of women myself included. The heavy downpour of rain following the judgement was like a cleansing blessing from Heaven...most auspicious under the circumstances.
8
What kind of sentence is that? Is it 3 years or 10? Why is it only poor people get long, straightforward sentences?
6
Despite what the defense said, people should not be able to 'age out' of punishment. Cosby may or may not be a risk for further assaults, but he is being imprisoned for crimes committed in the past, not for potential criminality in the future. Justice has been served.
14
Bill Cosby is receiving many blistering comments from individuals in southern states including my own. I assume from context that many of the authors are evangelicals by self-identification. So,..... maybe upon their reexamination of the numerous allegations against the President......
Oh wait, Bill Cosby can't appoint lifetime judges at any level. Never mind.
23
@jukeboxphantom
Not all southerners are batty, misogynist evangelical or Catholic, not by a long shot.
My family has always worshipped at the altar of the Pastafarians: "He boiled for your sins."
How many agents, producers, production people, friends relatives and acquaintances of Mr. Cosby knew all along, since the very beginning, of his nefarious proclivities? How was this man able to pose as a role model for SO many years and get away with this disgusting behavior? We need to speak up and call out the truth! This is why ALL of Kavanaugh's accusers must be heard!
14
I am thinking he should have cut his losses long ago and plea bargained saving millions that could have been possibly set aside to Camille and the children.
6
@Jesse James Camille? You mean the enabler?
2
Forget about the current threat. He has a debt to society, and those women of course, shouldn't that be the issue here.
He can make his appeal from the inside as many others do.
9
Harvey! You're next !!
8
@Shad
Hopefully, so are the rapist in my city and your city and everywhere else on the planet.
1
Is justice delayed justice denied? Better late than never, I suppose. But this predator got away with drugging and raping women for decades. He should've faced justice a long time ago.
11
Let's not forget that Cosby's disgusting behavior was no doubt overlooked by countless associates over they years. Power and wealth can corrupt, conceal and protect abusers. Cosby ruined lives.
May we become a better, more protective culture in light of these stories. Much respect to Ms. Constand.
17
The Bill Cosby sentence is out, and the timing couldn’t have been any better.
The GOP thinks the Kavanaugh hearing is ALL about winning the battle for a SCOTUS nominee in this country. And it was, but not anymore.
Dr. Ford has bravely unearthed the ugly underbelly of this deeply flawed nominee. And unearthed for many the ugly topic of sexual assault in this society, and indeed across the world. So have Cosby’s victims.
Thank you to all of these brave women! The floodgates have been opened. The women are talking. The men need to listen.
31
And how would you describe the man?
Well, of course: Blind octogenarian first offender.
Nice.
8
Bill Cosby is going to jail, he deserves it of course, but it's hard to believe he actually committed those terrible crimes. I read the NYT headlines and the whole world seems to have gone mad. I feel like I'm on drugs having a really bad trip.
4
@Bello
How is it hard for you to believe he committed these terrible crimes, but you think he deserves to go to jail anyway? Surely wasn’t an issue for the jury.
Maybe you don’t want to hear the sorrid details. Reality sucks. I can imagine Orin Hatch saying the same thing about Kavanaugh in a few weeks.
This is a bad trip, but nowhere near the experience of his victims.
2
@Vicki ...My bad English...I meant hard to believe as in incomprehensible that he would commit such horrible acts, and in no way suggesting that he did not commit them. Thanks for helping me to clarify my comment.
The timing is right juxtaposed against the Kavanaugh allegations and the Catholic church, and, and. Women are finally getting the justice they and all women that have suffered at the hands of sexually abusive men deserve. And there are PLENTY of us. Not to forget, sexual abuse is not about sex...it is about anger and control.
7
This is most frustrating news to hear, because this is so out of character, and I think personally this is just a way to destroy a strong black figure. It's nothing new and those who see what is really going on aren't surprised. All strong black figures who do well and do nothing malicious or speak out against the wrong or try to inspire are usually the first ones having their names thrown through the mud and it's quite sad. Not new, but just sad that this keeps happening. Good Job America. Make sure to keep that same energy for your president and every other actor or senator being accused of the same.
3
He is a sexual predator.
3
Justice for the women Cosby assaulted.
No justice for the women Trump has assaulted.
I a country where justice is so unequally distributed,
we're all in danger.
21
If women were more readily believed, and if #MeToo had been active years ago, there would be far fewer Cosby victims, and he wouldn't be facing prison as an old man. He should have been held to account years ago.
12
@Amelia
Wha....? In your scenario, Cosby not only would've been in prison years ago, he would still be there now and for the rest of his unnatural life.
@Amelia
This case was 14 years in the making. Not an easy road for these women. I too hope that going forward, there will be far fewer victims. Correction: no more victims.
Many of the victims who started this case stated today they never thought justice would be rendered and that he would be found guilty; or even if found guilty, that he would get more than a slap on the wrist.
The fact that he’s an elderly man now is a reality, but no reason why he shouldn’t face prison time. Hope the judge will send him to a real prison (not to a cushy couch in a “country club” prison), where sexual abuse is not uncommon.
The Cosby Show is over.
2
Great sentence. Too bad there is no equivalent punishment to the horror he meted out. How dare he masquerade as a role model years ago?
14
Too bad he wasn't a swimmer from Stanford then he would have gotten away with it.
19
@Jacquie
Stanford student Brock Turner deserved prison time, but he did not drug and rape 50+ women over 4 decades.
5
If he'd gotten 1 year for each of his accusers, then he'd've gotten 60 years. He's 81; so, all but 21 years of the life he's already "lived," he would have been a prisoner, instead of a perpetrator: Imprisoning women victims. 3 - 10 Years? By comparison to the decades to which he's already sentenced his victims? Not that bad. Not that much. Not the same. Nobody drugged him. Nobody betrayed him. Nobody entered him. His victims can't say the same.
13
I am appalled at the short sentence given the crimes. I also cannot believe that he has not been in jail since April when he was convicted. Did the judge decide whether he may wait to go to prison? Will he go to a "rich person's" jail?
10
One of the hardest falls from grace a once top-fight celebrity can experience. He will forever be a symbol of manipulating his power to collect victims in a most insidious way. ...Woe be to those in the future that would attempt to use women in this manner, for their fall will most assuredly be much quicker.
253
Gee, I wonder what will happen when his appeal reaches a Supreme Court with Kavanaugh and Thomas on it . . . Will Chuck Grassley claim that the Dems are ruining his life?
13
This should perk Mr. Kavanaugh and Mitch and Mr. Grassley up. And funny, Bill Cosby has not shown nor expressed any remorse and still maintains his innocence. Sound familiar? All sexual predators lie and try to turn things around so that they're the victim. Not this time. And I hope Mr. Kavanaugh is shaking, especially because even if he is confirmed, he can still get impeached since there is no statute of limitations on rape or sexual abuse in Maryland. Fingers crossed.
17
@Terry McMillan : "Bill Cosby has not shown nor expressed any remorse and still maintains his innocence. Sound familiar? All sexual predators lie and try to turn things around so that they're the victim."
What you're saying means absolutely nothing, though. A truly innocent person also wouldn't express remorse and would still maintain his innocence.
2
Cosby should be allowed to stay free while his conviction is appealed. This whole thing has been a witch hunt from the start. Accusations over a decade old and far longer in many cases should never have been allowed as testimony in a criminal trial.
Hopefully he will be allowed to stay free while he's appealing the conviction, which is a travesty of justice in the first place. Characterising a legally blind man in his 80s as a sexually violent predator is completely ridiculous. Why didn't they just lynch him for Christ's sake?
4
Seems to me sexual assault cases should be viable for the lifetime of the victim, since that’s the time period she (or he) carries the trauma. Perpetrators of sexual assault aren’t stealing your lunch money; they are inflicting very deep, very personal anguish
12
@Judd N
He's going straight to jail. Where he belongs.
7
this person has never been groped, threatened, stalked by a homophobic cop and had to move for safety reasons, verbally shamed, been grabbed as a child by a drunk middle age man who wanted a kiss, had breasts grabbed by newly released sex offender, had a brother admit he would like to slug you and then ridiculing you as a typical sensitive woman when you cry, had a knife at my throat and had to beg for my life. Raped.
this is ONE women's experience.
Mine
2
Mr. Cosby has already been stripped of the benefit of many of the accolades accorded to him for his good works. His Kennedy Center honor for his professional work has gone poof. Scholarships he has funded will continue to support students, but have been have been stripped of his name.
All appropriate. A punishment to his ego.
As much I might admire his professional work and the goals of his philanthropy from the wealth he accrued from that work, the loss of that esteem is not enough.
His deeds took from the lives of others, and he should rightfully sacrifice some of his own in recompense.
7
Good. I certainly hope he goes to jail today and not sent home while his lawyers appeal and appeal.
Not ONE public word of remorse from this serial predator. Looking at his face, I don’t see remorse, either. He thinks he’s the wronged one, which makes it imperative that he spend a long time in the slammer. This certainly does not heal these women’s wounds or provide closure, but at least they can feel that they made a difference in our ongoing fight for agency over our bodies, minds and spirits.
it’s not a happy day. It’s a sad day. But it’s validation, which is certainly gratifying.
29
The Me Too movement's first major victory in the criminal justice system. Hopefully Mr. Weinstein will face a similar reckoning.
491
Weinstein is white and privileged. It will not have the same outcome
@The Buddy
I do not disagree. But, most of the women who had claims against Bill Cosby started their journeys toward trying to get justice way before there was a formal #MeToo movement. Which only means that those women deserve tons more respect because they came forward before they had a movement to support them.
@The Buddy
"The Me Too movement's first victory."
Yes - but look what it took. Sixty women came forward but the prosecution could only use a handful. A trial that has lasted three years, no doubt with millions spent on legal fees.
What chance does the lady groped at the copier machine stand?
I'm unclear is he in jail now? He should have learned the lesson from Martha Stewart... Plead guilty and do the time - although I don't think Ms. Stewart was guilty in a way that this person is.
Noah?
4
@Kat YES he went straight to jail. The article says so.
1
What a ridiculously short sentence for the crimes he committed! A shame he received so little time.
13
It's effectively a life sentence, but I'm okay with that. He was a predatory cad who inflected his sexual needs on many - many - young women. He won't do that again.
11
It is so important that we see justice done in the end. Everything depends on it. Without it, we are nothing more than predators and prey.
To Andrea Constand: You are a hero. You have come so far, have risen above such pain and suffering, have told your truth at great cost so that others would not suffer what you did. Your bravery, dignity, and strength give me hope – hope for my daughter, for all of us. May you live free, long and happy.
16
So, what's the grounds for the appeal? If it's because the playing field for the defense was tilted against them after the hung jury in the first trial by letting in evidence from others, I wish Mr. Cosby luck. I thought that was the very reason double jeopardy wasn't supposed to be allowed. It would be nice to hear the legal justification for doing that.
There were no other criminal trials. In any event that has nothing to do with double jeopardy.
1
As I write this, Cosby is likely in jail or in processing for same.
Now already the zealots condemn the judge and demand more jail time, using their own measuring sticks.
The three crimes were essentially the same instance, that was what was brought, and the judge ruled correctly to combine them. The maximum was 10 years. The judge gave sentenced him to 3 to 10. Rule of law. Following of existing guidelines. Not letting him off, but not throwing the book because he's Cosby and not an unknown.
Entirely appropriate.
Serious time for a serious crime.
The judge got it right.
8
@Dennis your argument is that the penalty is appropriate, and those who think it is too meager are wrong to use their own measuring sticks. Are you not using your own?
Frankly, I would understand this as the sentence for a crime against one person. These were not "the same instance," as you say. Three women testified against him.
1
You do realize he was not criminally charged for anything involving those women?
1
Not the minimum sentence for (convicted rapist and sexually violent predator) Bill Cosby, and "not throwing the book at him because he's Cosby and not an unknown. Entirely appropriate. Serious time for a serious crime. The judge got it right."
Really? You think Mr. Cosby deserved a break in his sentencing "because he's Cosby and not an unknown?"
You think 3 to 10 years, which we all know won't be anywhere near 10 years, is "serious time" for drugging Ms. Constand and viciously raping her while she could not scream, move her arms or legs or do anything to fight off her rapist?
Your position is tone-deaf and offensive, yet it illustrates the inability of many Americans, particularly men, to empathize with women who have been sexually assaulted. Let me help you understand.
Imagine Mr. Cosby was your mentor, you went to his home, he drugged you and forcibly sodomized you in a savage attack you were physically unable to stop. Imagine the searing physical pain you would feel for weeks afterwards. Now the shame and self-loathing. Could you have done something to cause it? Could you have stopped it somehow?
Is 3 years enough prison time for you now?
Mr. Cosby plans to appeal. Let us pray that he is remanded to prison today, pending the appeal. There is a chance Mr. Cosby may yet get what's coming to him in the form of prison justice. I don't think the remorseless Mr. Cosby will understand any other kind of justice, except "an eye for an eye."
1
Too bad Bill Cosby is not Justin Schneider. He then could have gotten a pass from the prosecutor.
https://www.cnn.com/2018/09/21/us/alaska-assault-man-no-sentence/index.html
5
Thanks for posting that link Lilo.
@Lilo or Brock Turner. Six months probation, because he had so much potential.
1
Wow what a great message. You can drug and rape a woman and be out of jail in no time! Great!
5
There’s a legitimate argument that the sentence is lenient, however, 1000 days in prison isn’t “no time.” Are there three years in your life that you’d give up?
2
Incredible. Bill Cosby doing time.
5
Shameful end to a life and career. His family must be devastated.
3
@C
Agreed. When I was a kid (from his 200 M.P.H. days) I thought he walked on water. I wonder what his kids are thinking and if his wife is still "standing by her man".
@J Darby
His wife: yes - she's very angry at the sentence.
The value of Cosby’s sentencing is not only justice, although lenient here, for his numerous victims. It is extremely important for the rest of society, especially sexual predators, to see that money, fame, or even age can be used to avoid justice.
Although it may be and has been the case throughout our criminal justice hustory, it was not so with this one.
8
Racism and hypocrisy still alive in America. Never ever will any of the white men accused for worse crimes be pursued with the same fervor. Even the numerous pedophiles in Pennsylvania have never been prosecuted and allowed to remain free on "technicalities". The world is watching and many do not like what is happening to Cosby.
5
Are you kidding? NYT has on its front page reports of what Brett Kavanaugh wrote in his high school yearbook.
The sentencing guidelines called for a sentence of 10 months to 4 years incarceration.
Cosby received a sentence of 3 years to 10 years incarceration. Quite possibly a death sentence.
I’ve never understood why Americans are so obsessed with punishment. The only surprise here is that the left/liberal/feminist mindset is as thirsty for blood as the right/conservative mindset. God bless America.
3
@Lost Gringo - we feminists are not "thirsty for blood."
But imposing consequences is the only way we as a society have for saying "this is a big deal, and we do not countenance this sort of behavior." I don't want to see Cosby physically hurt. I don't believe in cruel and unusual punishment. But society needs to say, "this is a crime which hurts others, and the consequences need to be significant.
29
@paula - I believe that placing human beings in a cage - is cruel and unusual punishment.
@paula I'm past that point. I want to see all of these predators physically hurt. None of them would have a lick of empathy without it being done unto them.
We have a long history of predators' getting away with crimes, especially those of privilege (wealth, race, status). This gives me hope that my children and future grandchildren will live in a better place. But until our president, Kavanaugh, and the multitude of others are held to account, I'm afraid we will still be waiting for that better place.
23
As one who at one time was convinced that Cosby was the ultimate role model for Black youth, I applaud this sentence. A celebrity is being held accountable, and men everywhere are receiving reinforcement of this message: It is NOT OKAY to take advantage of women. EVER.
537
@Wanda What about trump?
[[As one who at one time was convinced that Cosby was the ultimate role model for Black youth, I applaud this sentence.]]
The ultimate, or best, role model for any "youth," regardless of the color of their skin, is the parents of the "youth" and not some fictional television character.
I looked at IMDB and around the time on the Cosby Show there were a bunch of similar half hour comedies...Family Matters, Home Improvement, Alf, Who’s the Boss?, Family Ties, Full House.
People are upset because Cosby played a black doctor....as if he was an actual doctor and is now a convicted rapist.
Cosby was on the same level as the guy whose hand was inside a puppet and played Alf.
If the father from Family Ties had a MeToo moment, there would not be this national reckoning/
Get over it.
@Wanda Can't we just kill two birds with one stone? How about: It is NOT OKAY to take advantage of people. EVER.
The backlash against #metoo is going to grow even stronger.
2
@Hellen now that seems like a real troll comment, designed to divide, not to divine truth. I often wonder how the NYT screens it's commentors..
4
Poor man. Such a harsh sentence for a "first offender". Who does he think he is kidding?
3
My question is: Will Bill Cosby spend his first night in custody tonight and if not, why not? There should be no question that he will be in prison while his lawyers prosecute an expedited appeal.
8
Cosby is a revolting sexual predator, many times over, who used his public image as cover for his criminality, who used a friendly/fatherly clown face to allow him greater access to chosen victims. His story has given society a light into the workings of the predatory mind. He deserves to be in jail for every female he stalked and defiled, for every second he stole from these young innocents.
43
I wonder if he will ever serve much time. I remember Mrs. Astor's son was convicted of fraud and sentenced to prison, went in briefly and then was almost immediately released on medical grounds (he was in his 80s and had chronic illnesses).
I've got a feeling that prison officials in Pennsylvania will say that they don't have the facilities to care for a nearly blind man in his 80s and similarly recommend his release on humanitarian grounds. Obviously the officials will be criticized because of the feeling that it was Cosby's wealth and fame that got him out but they will probably point out how few 80 year olds they have incarcerated.
6
This conviction will likely be thrown out because of the admission of testimony from other alleged victims. The real barometer for this will be whether he will be free pending appeal. My guess is that he will be.
3
A minimum of 3 years for being a "sexually violent predator"?
So does he get out earlier than that with "good" behavior? This sentence is almost as insulting as receiving no jail time at all and is a true disgrace to the many women he violated.
389
@Marge Keller
There will be civil suits. It's not over yet. His expert psychological witness did not seem very well-prepared. Maybe he's having money problems and went for a cut-rate expert.
3
@Marge Keller At his age this is likely a death sentence. I dont think he deserves that.
@Marge Keller, it is my understanding that he will serve a minimum of 3 years and after that he may be eligible for parole.
1
I am a man. Not a football player, not a celebrity, not wealthy.
The very thought of Cosby's actions is totally appalling to me. I hope he gets his just rewards in jail.
He is not sick, he knew what he was doing and he "knew" that he could get away with it.
The joke's on him.
May the lessons of the brave women we have met in the past year..........resound far and wide.
45
Sentencing of Bill Cosby should be based on what he did, not what he's likely capable of doing now. A sentence is meant to be a punishment for a crime.
If he had murdered someone, would he have been let off with a trivial fine and a sentence of 3 to 10 years, none of which he is likely to serve, because he's old and gray now? Would there be any contention that what he did in the past is not relevant because he won't do it again?
5
To those who say "look at Kavanaugh's record", I say look at Cosby's. He was beloved by many - a thoughtful, creative man - educated. Ms. Constand made a prompt "outcry" but prosecutor's wouldn't proceed because of Cosby's "record". Justice was delayed here, but at last, not denied.
21
All this evidence to convict Cosby was needed because he was a democrat. If he were a Republican a simple accusation would have been enough.
7
@Don
It took decades to stop Weinstein
4
I don't know. If you are a Republican you might be be elected president.
3
@Don
Tell that to Al Franken.
11
This is really a sad day. I absolutely loved this man. I grew up on this man and his devotion to children's education and psychological development. From Electric Company and Picture pages to the Cosby Show and beyond. Say what you like, publicly, the man was a role model for Black people. He was our ambassador to America to show we were not the stereotypes whites in the 1960s cast us as. He showed what the modern black family is with the Cosby Show. He showed on TV that the black family did not have to be poor, uneducated, living in a ghetto, gangbanging or street hustling to get by and that good stable parenting brings about good children. I'm just really sad that his public life did not mirror his private life. I take no joy in saying this, but the courts have spoken and now, he must pay for his crimes.
34
@Ronin
I loved him, too, but now I believe that his "real" character makes a mockery of the lessons he supposedly imparted to his followers. Gotta walk the walk, not just talk the talk.
5
Sadly, those with malignant personality disorders are known for creating a lifetime image of carefully crafted wonderfulness.
1
Not long ago Cosby was still performing his stand-up comedy. His age, etc. should not be an excuse for him to avoid prison.
32
It's about time. He got what he deserves.
27
Padma Lakshmi's profound opinion piece, also published in today's Times, makes a compelling point when discussing consequences for perpetrators of violence: "...the woman pays the price for the rest of her life, and so do the people who love her."
595
Prison time will not make the hurt or harm go away. The women he victimized will live with the damage he caused for the rest of their lives and long after Cosby is dead.
I'm not so sure there is such a thing as justice for this type of crime. If victims continue to suffer, where is the justice?
11
@wihiker
This enables reconciliation with the truth of what you endured; reconciliation with your own past. It brings validation and maybe one day, peace
Cosby has been stripped of his former good reputation , his career as an actor and promoter of [a] character, and no time or means or possibility of changing or making restitution due to the mendacious nature of his actions of decades. His life is ruined and all memories of him also. For these reasons I think that sentencing is reasonable. Larger justice has been served and it has been an excruciating one for anyone to witness. Let's hope that this era is coming to a close.
14
@annpatricia23
Concur with your eloquent post. Many will have wanted a stronger sentence. 3 to 10 is actually longer than traditional guidelines. A conviction such as this usually warrants 1 to 3.
Cosby has been destroyed. Anything beyond this sentence would have been vengeance--not justice.
3
@annpatricia23......here's something excruciating too--
What about the many thousands, even millions of men, who over decades were victims of racially biased police arrests, who had no trial but were forced to plea bargain, who got excessive sentences for low level crimes, who had their lives and that of their families ruined, who after their release can't get hired for jobs, are denied certain govt benefits, and denied voting rights?
When will that era come to a close?
1
The sentence is too lenient - 3 years is not enough. He ruined women’s psyches. He should have been given a minimum 10 year sentence. If you do the crime, you do the time - in prison, not the comfort of your own home.
39
The irony is that if this convicted sexual predator is allowed to remain free pending appeal, he will most likely never spend a day behind bars. He will simply use his vast wealth, most of which was earned during the years his victims were dismissed as liars, to game the system until he dies. Justice delayed is justice denied was never truer.
223
@Robin
He is going directly to prison. The judge agreed with you that he should not remain home awaiting appeal.
7
@Robin He is not, he is going directly to prison it says
1
@ExPatMX
Smart judge. Thanks for the update.
another guy who was not entirely "what we thought" he was.
31
Cosby will feel what it’s like to be under others’ power - something his victims have felt and lived and suffered with for decades.
Not enough time, no matter he’s 81 or much, much younger.
Women’s bodies do not belong to men, under any circumstance.
What will it take for them to learn?
54
Nonsense.
1
It hasn't escaped many observers that the first of these sexual predators to be sentenced is a Black man.
That said, he should have been sentenced like any other in this class. 3-10 years is light and this is where Cosby got to spend some of his privilege.
What will Weinstein get?
When will Trump face justice over the sexual accusations against him?
What about Kavanaugh?
When will we have the kind of education that includes real sex education for our young? Philosophy and social ethics?
We send our children into the wild...
---
Rapists Have Tiger Moms, Too: Kavanaugh, Rape Culture and SCOTUS
https://www.rimaregas.com/2018/09/22/rapists-have-tiger-mothers-too-kava...
26
I agree that 3 to 10 years in prison seems like a light sentence for the offense. Perhaps in this case it is actually a life sentence. I can only hope that the women that he assaulted feel like they have been heard and have some justification for the terrible things that happened to them.
184
@VM
I do too.
@Mountain Dragonfly:
Countries more socially civilized than our own give relatively lenient sentences for murder, along with serious psychological treatment. Our prison system is an abomination and is more or less ineffective as a deterrent.
For what it's worth as a bystander, I feel that 3 to 10 - along with the intense public humiliation of a destroyed career and legacy - is fitting.
10
3-10? If this is "sentencing," why is it not established yet exactly how many years it will be?
11
@trudy
It is established. 3 years is the minimum 10 years is the maximum. When exactly Mr. Cosby ultimately gets released depends on a number of factors to be considered by a future parole board, including his conduct while incarcerated.
8
@trudy Because that's the way sentencing works in this country, with the exception of the death penalty. Almost all convicted felons are given the opportunity to prove that they experience true remorse and rehabilitation. Starting at 3 years, Mr. Cosby will appear in front of a State parole board to present his case for release from incarceration. If denied, he will be given that opportunity at regular intervals until either they grant his release or he has served the full 10 years. This system is in place because as a society based on Christian and Jewish ethics we believe that everyone has the capacity to reform.
1
I know most people will disagree with me, but what purpose other than retribution does it serve to use tax money to take care of an 81 year old blind man? He is no danger to society, but he will require a lot of resources in a prison. Deterrence? I really don't think a prison sentence for a 81 year old man has much value in terms of deterrence.
12
@wayne griswald Yes it is punishment -- or retribution as you put it, and punishment for these crimes is appropriate. If I were the victim, then yes -- I would like the guy to sit in jail for a few years and think of me sitting in the courtroom looking at him.
6
@wayne griswald
At least your guess is right on, if not your opinion. Most people do disagree with you. Make that almost ALL.
No need to shed crocodile tears. There are plenty, I mean plenty of people gladly willing to pay whatever paltry amount it costs to prosecute, convict, and incarcerate this guy.
Don't worry the civil suits are coming.
This will make that part easier.
4
@wayne griswald It indeed sets an enormous example: Regardless of fame and wealth, he is not above the law. And, his own personal freedoms will now be vastly limited.
I hear what you are saying about the tax money---to some extent--- but I think many of us do not mind. It's where he should be.
7
Ok. Guilty, and he should be punished, but frankly, confining him to his home is sufficient. Any thought that he’s a risk at 81 is nuts. Let him pay for his upkeep, not the taxpayer.
101
It is not sufficient to me.
16
3-10 is a light sentence. Although Mr. Cosby is elderly, he was not at the his crimes took place. He should be serving a sentence commensurate with the harm he has done. The women he drugged and raped will live with his crime for the rest of their lives. Cosby should, too.
6
@Elle
He committed many of his crimes in his home. How would that be a deterrent?
6
CBS chief laughed all the way to the bank with $120 million ! Crosby ,however,got 3 to 10 !No country for old men !
13
@Khaganadh Sommu
But isn't Les Moonves also a senior?
1
“There is no reasonable prospect that an 81-year-old blind man is likely to reoffend.”
Maybe I missed something in the college courses I took studying the criminal justice system, but it is my recollection that incarceration is not meant merely to prevent someone from "reoffending" again, but rather, for the convicted felon to pay for his/her crimes via serving jail time. I have no compassion for Crosby due to his age and blindness. If those two health issues come into play and Crosby is allowed to NOT serve time due to them, then why shouldn't those health issues be applied to other convicted felons who are aging and legally blind? Enough with the special treatment already. The man did the crime, he should do the time. His victims are entitled to that, at the very least.
The fact that "Cosby declined an opportunity to address the court before his sentence is handed down" speaks volumes. If he was as frail and innocent and misunderstood as he would like folks to believe, he would have stood up for himself and would denied the charges and accusations against him. His silence is deafening.
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@Marge Keller : And what good would denying the charges have done? All it would have done is convinced the judge even more that Cosby had no remorse, and encourage a stiffer sentence. An apology *might* have helped, but even that's a slippery slope because it is effectively an admission of guilt.
@PhoenixM
Addressing the court before being sentenced doesn't necessarily mean one would denying the charges, but rather possibly offering a heartfelt apology, explanation (if there is such a thing) or stating SOMETHING which would point to the individual as being human with feelings and remorse. But the fact that the judge sentenced him to a min. of 3 to 10 years looks as if things worked out better for Crosby than many people thought assumed, wanted or thought. I would bet anything that he is out in less than 2 years, stating deteriorating health as a key reason and justification for a hardship release.
So was he immediately jailed, or will he have to report to prison at some future tiime?
1
@Jerry Atrick He was not immediately jailed. It's unclear what will happen next.
1
@Jerry Atrick He goes straight to prison. Judge denied his request to remain free on bail while pursuing an appeal.
2
@Jerry Atrick immediately jailed
1
3 to 10 years? Really? that would amount to 1 year for each of the 10 women IF he serves the full 10 years! There are women who have received greater sentences for possession of marijuana!
Our judges have way too much freedom in sentencing.
49
He should be glad that none of those poor women died from the drugs he gave them. I am glad he got time, he should have been in jail long ago!
53
Brett Kavanaugh next please.
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@Judeb And Bill Clinton after Kavanaugh.
1
@jbone
Did Clinton sexually assault anyone?
I wonder what Mr. Cosby's mother thinks of all this. There are a number of questions we'd all like to ask her, but I'll use Mr. Cosby's own words.
"I’m talking about these people who cry when their son is standing there in an orange suit. Where were you when he was two? Where were you when he was twelve? Where were you when he was eighteen, and how come you don’t know he was a rapist? And where is his father, and why don’t you know where he is? And why doesn’t the father show up to talk to this boy?"
Good questions that deserve answers....
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@Cristobal
My goodness, his mother is still alive? How old is she? As for his wife, she was complicit in her silence and denial.
@Cristobal, reading Cosby’s accusatory words about parents, it’s clear now that he was talking about his own experience. Amid all his moralizing, we can now see that this predator was hiding in plain sight.
I’m not certain what I would do with him now, but it would certainly involve dividing his remaining financial assets up among his victims.
93
If anyone else did this, youd be facing double digits, especially in NYS. Cosby ruined himself and unfortunately his lawyer played this case wrong.
7
Odd that so many comments seem to center on Cosby's age, sight issues, health etc.
His case has gone on for what seems like years, so isn't it time to think about what it is all about? The victims, perhaps?!
He is a convicted serial rapist and it is time for him to take the consequences, age notwithstanding. In prison, he might just "get it" that what he did was wrong, compulsive or not. If he can't survive the full ten years, for example, none of us know how much longer we have. Why should he of all people be protected from the toss of the dice? If he lives, he lives. If he checks out at 83 or 88, so be it.
185
This is so sad! I admired Bill Crosby! He was a positive role model for so many but especially to African Americans like me. I looked up to him, was proud to see a Black man in distinguished roles, appreciated, accepted and was married to a beauful woman , had children, mourn when his son was murdered, had "class" spoke standard English, and then!!! What is is with men and sex??????? I can only imagine how his wife and children must be feeling. I feel terrible.
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Men and POWER. Not men and sex. Sex had little to do with it. After a all, he has a wife who apparently thinks the world of him.
10
@Kenya
I looked up to bill once too but it’s odd how you feel bad for his wife and kids, but don’t mention the victims once. And it’s not about men and sex. It’s about a predator who assauoted women. Stop ignoring what he did and the victims he tried to destroy.
4
His wife is in complete denial. She only wants to know the public persona.
3
The good news for Cosby is that Judge Kavanaugh will soon be available to work on his appeal.
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@A. Stanton Absolutely ! Crosby or not,Kavanaugh seems to be heading for the Supreme Court all right !
2
@A. Stanton, Oh Christ. I thought I was feeling as bad as I could about that.
3
Make that:
The good news for Cosby is that Judge Kavanaugh will soon be back in private practice again to work on his appeal.
5
He is a vile man, yet the question for the judge is whether jail is necessary to preclude new offenses or to demonstrate the impartiality of the law.
Such questions are tossed aside when the convicted offender lacks Cosby's resources. They get locked up, even when they had no effective legal representation.
The endless appeals promised by his attorneys would mean Cosby pays no price for his creepy assaults.
21
We need Kavanaugh on the bench so Mr. Cosby can have his conviction overturned. Like with Kavanaugh, we're talking about things that happened YEARS ago. He has maintained his innocence and consistently denied the accusations. The women aren't credible. They were messed up, under the influence of drugs. Cosby's a fine man. A great comedian, the likes of which the world has never seen. That's what some people are saying. It's a shame what they've done to him, the vast left-wing conspiracy. It should almost be illegal. His family has suffered. Sad!
11
@Tyrone Greene lol okay.
10
David Dennison, is that you?
10
@Tyrone Greene A few years ago, I would have easily recognized your post as sarcasm. Today, sadly, I'm not so sure. I think you're joking ... I hope. But of course, there are many who could write almost exactly what you wrote (minus a few telltale flourishes) and mean it sincerely. Good job - sarcasm that makes us think. But also - sad!
8
The liberal view of sentencing generally holds that the harm to the victim is just part of the story. You also have to account for the offender’s circumstanes. This is the correct view and needs to be applied to Cosby.
As Trump has shown us, the rich and famous, however despicable, can usually find female companionship. So the real question about Cosby is why he chose to drug unwilling companions. I can’t be sure but I have a good guess. I suspect that Cosby had a fetish for sex with drugged women and he did what was most sexually stimulating to him. The guy was perverse and sought to satisfy his perverse urges.
Cosby’s actions, I believe, were motivated by involuntary sexual desires. And his sentencing should reflect the fact that his conduct was motivated more by compulsion than anything else. That is the sort of reasoning that conservatives tend to view as poppycock. But liberals seem to be crying out poppycock, too. I don’t subscribe to this hypocrisy.
7
@michjas Does everything in the world revolve around partisan politics? I think people gravitate towards these kinds of explanations because it makes a complex world seem simple -- and because you can pigeonhole all sorts of ideas into simple categories.
This verdict has nothing to do with liberal/conservative viewpoints, unless you really really want to make it so.
4
@michjas
No. I am a liberal and I say that the harm to the victim is the WHOLE story.
Why is it that you think liberals want to go "easy" on criminals? We don't. In fact crimes like this should put a man away for life. Once a sexual predator always a sexual predator.
By their own admission rapists and pedophiles cannot be "cured."
They, especially pedophiles, must be put away for life with no chance for parole. If they are set free they will just repeat their horrible crimes. I don't care if they are made to register as a sexual predator. That won't stop them.
There! Speaking as a liberal DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR?
9
The court must be careful not to allow public opinion to affect its decision making? Why? Because Cosby is a public figure? Would that be said if Cosby was a poor African American with no public following at all? No, such a person would wind up in prison for the rest of his life. Cosby got away with this for years because he was rich, famous and could silence his victims with the money he'd earned. Until he couldn't. Cosby is not Cliff Huxtable. That was an act. He is now a convicted sex offender.
105
Not sure why the taxpayer should be providing him room, board and health care in his last decade of life. Let him spend his own money on home confinement - and he can pay for the ankle monitor as well.
Now that Ms. Constand has her "justice," I wonder whether she'll be sharing her $3.5 million windfall with the other complainants?
9
@Gary F.S.
Constand's article is closed to comments for a reason. One day the truth about her will come out just like Argento and others.
4
@Gary F.S. Not a bad idea there.
As for your question about Constand, --- Phat Chance.
2
@Hellen What about all the other women Cosby has abused. Your comment seems more appropriate for a Fox News troll.
Hopefully for him, the appeal process will enable him to avoid waiting in jail.
4
Why should he be able to do that? How is that justice? He was convicted in a court of law and judged to be a violent sex offender. Do you believe that violent sex offenders should not be jailed?
50
The really sickening part in all this is that a self admitted person guilty of sexual assault was elected president. The problem is not just with the perpetrators of these crimes but with the people of this nation who tolerate it. The so called moral majority turned out to be a majority with no morals.
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@zb What sexual assaults has Trump self admitted to? I don't know of any.
1
@Bill: I guess you did not hear of the tape of DJT bragging about sexually assaulting women, but he did. And 19 women have come forward with the accusation. But don't let that get in the way of your support of him.
1
@zb And worse yet, it wasn't even a majority!
Sending Bill Cosby to jail or not, won't change the past. He has gotten away with his crimes.
But sending him to jail may make it easier on his many victims, and serve as a deterrent to other predators.
But let's not self-medicate with the belief that "justice" will have been served.
16
If that's true, then justice is never done, as it is never possible to change the past.
The reality is that by holding Cosby--once a powerful and influential figure--accountable for his actions, the court can send a message that no one is above the law. And that is the best that can be done.
90
If his age and his health are a problem, then he could be put on house arrest and have his freedoms limited in a way that won't impinge on his health.
He needs more than a slap on the wrist. He was a repeat offender.
I don't know how the judge can lump the three convictions into one.
And that psychologist's evaluation, without knowing all the relevant facts, should be tossed. How can you determine if someone is a predator without knowing the full extent of his past?
11
Yes he should go to jail. He is a serial rapist that spans decades, his age and visual acuity notwithstanding. He is a sexually violent predator and belongs in jail.
129
Cosby's arrogant indifference proves the case for incarceration without mercy.
Society needs to be protected.
68
I’m sorry, but I am tired of him constantly using his age and infirmities as an excuse not to serve his time for these crimes. There has never been any sign of any mental defect or other incompetence that would mitigate any sentence he will receive.
He is not America’s Dad; he is a charming, convincing actor who played that wholesome persona to the hilt with both his victims and the public. If that doesn’t describe predatory behavior, I don’t know what does, and it is a label Cosby has justly earned.
Mr. Cosby, prisons can handle people like you, although the accomodations won’t be anywhere near to those that you’ve become accustomed to in the long and privileged life that you chose — in your hubris — to throw away. I think that fact, more than your concern about your health and well being, is what’s driving your last attempt at generating sympathy both with the court and your public. We see through you now, sir. Bye.
840
@MDB
And even at his age he'll do easy time. If Justice was really being served a good beating would be the least of the bad things that await him.
10
As I mentioned in earlier post, hopefully the appeal process will allow him to remain free. Prison is no place for a man of his age.
4
@Mike DeMaio. Oh yes it is. It IS the only place for a predator such as this man.
12
This is really heartbreaking. I do not defend Mr. Cosby's behavior but really enjoyed his show and comedy.
Mr. Cosby is an actor. Many of the people we idolize are actors, including some politicians. We must learn to find the person behind the persona before we make "heroes" or "stars" of them.
Character matters.
25
I think that Cosby should go to jail for drugging and raping women. If this is not a crime that a person of any age can go to jail for, than nothing is. I don't think the public will be satisfied without jail time. If someone were to rape and drug me they better be going to jail.
271
Only when hearing he is adequately sentenced will I feel relieved. Not because I have a sense of personal threat from Bill Cosby, but because of the message that will be sent by to all in this country with the imposition of an adequate sentence: you can run but you cannot hide.
Justice for all those who have been sexually abused is the goal.
481
So glad your post is one of the times favorites. Is it time for Bill Clinton to face the same process?
3
there is absolutely no correlation between Bill
Clinton's indiscretions and Bill Cosby's violent crimes. Let's try to stay on point.
4
@Nancy I'm sure that Justin Schneider's victim will sleep easier, knowing that Cosby will be in prison.
https://www.cnn.com/2018/09/21/us/alaska-assault-man-no-sentence/index.html
A man in Anchorage, Alaska, pleaded guilty to assaulting a woman who said he strangled her unconscious and sexually assaulted her.
The man then walked out of court with no prison sentence.
"But I would like the gentleman to be on notice that this is his one pass," prosecutor Andrew Grannik said in court Wednesday, CNN affiliate KTVA reported. "It's not really a pass, but given the conduct, one might consider that it is."
2
Cosby's 'celebrity' status should be ignored - he's within the legal spectrum of being a serial sexual predator. Anyone without his 'celebrity' standing would not be treated with kid gloves as his defence team would like. May he do hard time and pay for the consequences of his sleazy damaging behavior. And my hat is off to Andrea Constand for her courage in pursuing Cosby for his depraved crimes against her.
53
I watched him be escorted in and out of the courthouse on TV during the trial as I suspected the claim he is "legally" blind was false. What I saw was a man whose eyes seemed to work just fine as he turned and noticed things that happened suddenly and had the biggest smile on his face when that women went topless in protest.
What was she protesting anyway? I remember nothing about her or the message only that she was topless. Maybe that should be significant to future protestors?
Anyway watch how he gets about with his guide. It just doesn't look right to me. I think he had this ploy planned to use it exactly as he is using it.
57
Bill Cosby picked the wrong time to be convicted of sexual abuse. Fueled by the Kavanaugh confirmation hearings the women of this country are calling for blood right now and apparently all of them, according to posts I've reviewed on FB, have some experience to share in this regard; in fact, I think it would be hard to seat a jury that included women at this point were Kavanaugh to be indicted...he's already guilty in the court of public opinion, which is about as simple as it gets when determining that he cannot be confirmed without dire political consequences for the GOP. I suspect the judge will need to walk that fine line between satisfying these women and the critics who are calling for impartiality. Cosby has had in his day in court and yes his money will ensure his case continues through a long appeals process; however, as he is now guilty as accused there is little doubt our system mandates immediate jail time...and not in the comfort of his mansion. I don't envy the judge in this case who will be forced to determine a Solomonesque sentence.
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@Publius
The premise under your post is an assumption that common people cannot be fair and make rational judgments based on the evidence. It also seems to include judges. I suspect its a ploy designed to undermine any rulings you do not agree with.
Your assertions about Kavanaugh's guilt are your own opinion being asserted as proven fact. You see people saying all sorts of things which are not rulings in a court of law they are also opinions. Some can use facts to make a very good argument in defense of those opinions and some cannot.
I think you cannot make a very good argument in defense of the assertion he is already guilty and there is no "court of public opinion" only the opinions of individual members of the public.
6
@Publius, those who are calling for "impartiality" should therefore absolutely disregard Cosby's age and alleged infirmities and think about how many women he victimized and traumatized over the years. NO FREE PASS FOR AN OLD MAN. We deport Nazis 10 years older than him - they're held responsible for what THEY DID when they arrive in their home country. About time we started getting serious about sexual predators.
53
@Publius Actually no, it took a long time to prosecute Cosby.
1
No one is worried about "the risk of him re-offending". The public wants Bill Cosby to pay for what he did. To jail he must go.
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@Don Juan
The psychologist he refused to speak to is worried about it. She said so.
12
So if a rapist can get away with it until they can claim old age and infirmity, all the women he destroyed along the way will not get justice. Status quo.
73
I hate what he did, but still can't wish an 81 year old jail time. The shame of what he has done is enough to make his life pretty unbearable no matter where he is.
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@Steph
People who are sick like this do not feel shame over things normal folks like you and I do. That is why he was able to do this for decades to dozens of women and stand in court and deny it. He belongs in jail for the max term, age should have nothing to do with the decision.
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@Steph
You're assuming that he can experience shame. The evidence I see is quite the contrary.
9
@Steph He's too mentally ill to feel shame; society still needs to be protected. Charles Manson comes to mind.
2
Cosby has been found guilty. It's certainly his right to appeal. However, he should be treated no different than any other convicted sexual predator.Behind bars while his appeal is pending.
76
Paraphrasing the immortal words of Baretta, “he did crime so he should do the time.”
13
"a psychologist for the defense, who said the entertainer is not a sexually violent predator.....'
Down the rabbit hole into the abyss.
3
If Cosby doesn't go to jail, then no one deserves to go to jail.
32
It helps to know what the law is regarding release pending appeal. Whether the judge releases Cosby depends on whether Cosby has a reasnable chance of success on appeal.
It is stated here that Cosby’s alppeal is about errors of law committed by the judge. So his appeal is based on technical legal matters. The likelihood of his success on appeal is a matter to be assessed by those who know the law. That means that his immediate incarceration is unrelated to whether he is a bad guy and whether he is rich and famous.
The system has rules and these rules will determine the issue. Those who don’t understand the rules are not in a position to fairly evaluate the court’s ultimate decision. Before you react to what the Court does, you really ought to do your homework.
7
@michjas
The rule is he has been convicted he will be sentenced for the conviction. If anything changes on appeal then the sentence may also be changed then and not before.
1
@michjas you should admit that sick, rich old men get the most sympathy available in "the system."
1
Put him in prison for what he did.
Do not allow Cosby to use his money to keep himself free until he "runs out the clock." Let him spend the rest of his few remaining days behind bars, knowing he will never get out.
He has damaged numerous lives, including some very prominent women. Predators are what predators do, even though he might be too old now. Furthermore, he is only being sentenced for the crimes that weren't past the statute of limitations; only a few of the many crimes he perpetrated.
His many victims should try to get every dime they can in damages from his estate through civil suits.
121
The common view of sexual abuse is evolving. And where we are now is logically problematic. Condemnation of abusers is at an all time high. That may be a good thing. But out-of-control vindictiveness is never just. When the judge who sentenced Dr. Nassar celebrated what amounted a life sentence, she was out of control.
There is a hard line view in favor of harsh sentencing. It is grounded in the belief that serial offenders engage in conduct that is both outrageous and an aberration. And that may wellmake no sense at all. Pervasive misconduct is hardly an aberration. And harsh sentencing of milllions is just another version of mass incarceration. We need to consider whether serial abuse is more a product of evil or of a diseased mind. Mass punishment may feel right to the countless who have been abused. But beyond revenge, does it serve a constructive purpose?
4
@michjas
Well, he may be sick, but he did drug and sexually violate multiple women over many years. Do you believe that a sentence of probation is just? How about a fine? I actually worked as a probation officer for a number of years whereby I investigated crimes and made sentencing recommendations to the Criminal Court, and Mr. Cosby would not likely be considered a candidate for probation based on his pattern of behavior over many years, and the sheer number of victims.
For an older man like Cosby, who managed to avoid prosecution for decades, a sentence of 5-10 years seems just, however, the Judge is the final decision maker here.
This is not a case of "mass incarceration" which I am opposed to, as it is racist to believe otherwise.
37
@Richard
Are I correct that this is Cosby's first conviction? Is it legal or ethical to base our response on allegations or on convictions?
1
@Gene
He was convicted a few months ago after a lengthy, and expensive trial where he was extremely well represented by a top notch legal team.
His sentence, while on the light side, is just.
Anyone else, without the financial means to put on such a powerful defense, would have fared much worse as the criminal justice system is unfair. Poor defendants receive harsher sentences because they are made to plead guilty for fear of going to trial and receiving a longer sentence.
1
The test for whether a person convicted and sentenced to a custodial term in Pennsylvania is probably two pronged. First, is the convicted person a threat to the community? Second, will the appeal raise substantial questions of law?
Cosby will probably be able to meet the first prong of the test. The judge will probably find that he is not a threat to the community.
Cosby will probably fail to meet the second prong of the test. It appears that the main arguments for reversal on appeal are improper exercise of discretion by the trial judge, the same judge who will decide if his exercise of discretion raises substantial issues of law. That is unlikely to occur.
Probable result: Cosby will be taken into custody today. His lawyers will then probably move before the appellate court to grant bail pending appeal.
The law provides many opportunities for defendants in criminal cases. The trick is to have the money to avail oneself of those opportunities.
6
@R. H. Clark: His team expounded at length about a "doctored tape" which will be one of many issues they raise on appeal. He has the means by which to challenge everything and anything from the trial and may well get a temporary reprieve, i.e: bail, pending that appeal. In the end though, he drugged and raped many women, that is clear as a bell.A jury found him guilty, he should spend at least the minimum 3 years behind bars, regardless of his age or alleged infirmity. He will no doubt wind up paying a lot in civil damages to the other women pursuing him in that venue. I'm pleased to note that the abuser in chief can do nothing to help him, it's a state conviction.
An important purpose of criminal sanctions is that it serves notice to the public that criminality will be punished. Mr. Cosby should receive a sentence which informs the public of the consequences meted out to those who break the law. The passage of time and the age of the offender at the time of sentencing do not mitigate the damage that was done when the crime was committed. Don't do the crime if you can't do the time.
24
A 15 year sentence without the possibility of parole would satisfy me so long as he is labelled and extreme danger to society when he is released.
12
Age should be a small part to be considered in his sentencing.
Cosby needs jail time even if it is no more than a year. He should be an example of no one being able to escape justice.
33