Prosecutors in Pennsylvania launched an investigation on Andrea Constand's allegations and pursued charges upon finding evidences.
- Dec 31, 2015
AceShowbiz - Bill Cosby is finally facing criminal charges related to the sexual assault and drugging accusations made by one of the women. Montgomery County prosecutors in Pennsylvania made an announcement about it on Wednesday, December 30 and released the 78-year-old actor's mugshot.
Cosby arrived at a courthouse in Elkins Park, Pa. at around 2:30 P.M. on cane, accompanied by his legal team. He was charged with aggravated indecent assault in connection with an alleged sexual assault in early 2004 involving former Temple University employee Andrea Constand. Aggravated indecent assault is a second degree felony.
"Today, after examination of all the evidence, we are able to seek justice on behalf of the victim," First Assistant District Attorney Kevin Steele said in a morning press conference, adding "We examined all the evidence and we made this determination because it was the right thing to do."
Constand claimed in 2005 that he invited her to his home in Pennsylvania and made sexual advances on her over time. She said he gave her pills and wine in early 2004 and sexually assaulted her. New information about the case emerged in July, prompting prosecutors to launch an investigation into the allegations before the 12-year statute of limitations to file felony charges expires next month.
Cosby's team has responded to the charges, saying in a statement that they would aggressively fight back. "The charge by the Montgomery County District Attorney's office came as no surprise, filed 12 years after the alleged incident and coming on the heels of a hotly contested election for this county's DA during which this case was made the focal point," Cosby's attorneys said on Wednesday afternoon. "Make no mistake, we intend to mount a vigorous defense against this unjustified charge and we expect that Mr. Cosby will be exonerated by a court of law."
Cosby's bail was set at $1 million and he posted the required 10 percent of the amount on Wednesday. Magisterial District Judge Elizabeth McHugh set a preliminary hearing for January 14.Cosby faces three counts of the indecent assault charge: assault without consent, assault when the complainant is unconscious or unaware that penetration is occurring, and assault when the person impairs the complainant.
