Bill Cosby denies 'spiking drinks' and having non-consensual sex with anyone as he blames 'mainstream media' for taking his deposition testimony out of context just days after release from prison
- Bill Cosby, 83, sent out a series of tweets, denying drugging women, or having non-consensual sex with anyone
- Newly freed comedian reserved harshest criticism for news media, saying they have 'irresponsibly, egregiously and inexcusably misled the public'
- Cosby was released on Wednesday after Pennsylvania Supreme Court overturned his 2018 sexual assault conviction
- Justices ruled prosecutor who brought the case against Cosby was bound by his predecessor's agreement not to charge him
A newly freed and defiant Bill Cosby fired off a volley of tweets on Thursday, denying ever drugging women or having non-consensual sex, and accusing the news media of taking his words out of context.
The disgraced 83-year-old comedian made those remarks just one day after the Pennsylvania Supreme Court unexpectedly overturned his sexual assault conviction, setting him free less than three years into his sentence and ruling that he could not be prosecuted for the same crime again.
'In response to the rhetoric that the media keeps pushing, Bill Cosby never admitted in his deposition testimony, or anywhere else, to nonconsensual sexual contact with any woman and/or the drugging of anyone — he has never admitted to spiking drinks, as the media would like you to believe,' the statement sent out from Cosby's Twitter account read.
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Bill Cosby on Thursday unleashed a series of tweets, denying ever drugging anyone, or having non-consensual sex, and accused the media of taking his words out of context
'He has steadfastly maintained his innocence, before and after being falsely convicted of aggravated indecent assault.
The former Cosby Show star then proceeded to rail against the 'mainstream media,' alleging that news outlets have 'irresponsibly, egregiously and inexcusably misled the public with out of context coverage regarding Bill Cosby's deposition testimony. This shall serve as a grave reminder of the consequences that come with lying to the American people to satisfy an agenda.
The thread concluded with another barb directed at the media, this time through a quote from civil rights icon Malcolm X, who once said: 'the media's the most powerful entity on earth. They have the power to make the innocent guilty and to make the guilty innocent, and that's power. Because they control the minds of the masses.'
Comedian Bill Cosby, center, is seen flashing the victory sign after being unexpectedly released from state prison on Wednesday
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On the day of his release from state prison, a victorious Cosby tweeted that he has always maintained his innocence, and thanked the Pennsylvania Supreme Court for 'upholding the rule of law.'
The comic once known as 'America's Dad' regained his freedom after the state's highest court concluded that the prosecutor who brought the sexual assault case against him was bound by his predecessor's agreement not to charge Cosby.
Cosby was arrested in 2015 for allegedly drugging and violating Temple University sports administrator Andrea Constand in 2004.
District Attorney Kevin Steele armed with newly unsealed evidence - the comic's damaging deposition in a lawsuit brought by Constand - filed charges against him just days before the 12-year statute of limitations was about to run out.
Cosby was photographed leaving his Pennsylvania home on Thursday to fly out to see his wife, Camille, out of state. Cosby regained his freedom after the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled overturned his sexual assault conviction
THE 'DEAL' THAT SET COSBY FREE
Former Montgomery County DA Bruce Castor
The Supreme Court did not rule on whether or not the testimony of five women who were 'bad act' witnesses contributed to Cosby's fate, or whether or not their testimony was fair. Instead, they looked only at the comment made by Montgomery County Prosecutor Bruce Castor, and found that it was the reason Cosby should go free.
In 2005, Cosby had been reported to Castor's office by the police in Pennsylvania after Andrea Constand reported the alleged assault.
It became public knowledge.
After pursuing an investigation, Castor's office released a press release saying he would not be charging Cosby because of a lack of evidence.
That press release is the 'deal' Cosby thinks he made. There was no formal definition in it about how long it would last or if future prosecutors were bound by it.
This is part of the release:
'Montgomery County District Attorney Bruce L. Castor, Jr. has announced that a joint investigation... into allegations against actor and comic Bill Cosby is concluded.
This is the 2005 release by Castor's office which Cosby thought was an 'immunity deal'
'The detectives could find no instance in Mr. Cosby’s past where anyone complained to law enforcement of conduct, which would constitute a criminal offense.
'After reviewing the above and consulting with County and Cheltenham detectives, the District Attorney finds insufficient, credible, and admissible evidence exists upon which any charge against Mr. Cosby could be sustained beyond a reasonable doubt.
'In making this finding, the District Attorney has analyzed the facts in relation to the elements of any applicable offenses, including whether Mr. Cosby possessed the requisite criminal intent.
'After this analysis, the District Attorney concludes that a conviction under the circumstances of this case would be unattainable.
'As such, District Attorney Castor declines to authorize the filing of criminal charges in connection with this matter. Because a civil action with a much lower standard for proof is possible, the District Attorney renders no opinion concerning the credibility of any party involved so as to not contribute to the publicity and taint prospective jurors.
'The District Attorney does not intend to expound publicly on the details of his decision for fear that his opinions and analysis might be given undue weight by jurors in any contemplated civil action. District Attorney Castor cautions all parties to this matter that he will reconsider this decision should the need arise.
'Much exists in this investigation that could be used (by others) to portray persons on both sides of the issue in a less than flattering light. The District Attorney encourages the parties to resolve their dispute from this point forward with a minimum of rhetoric.
'After reviewing the above and consulting with County and Cheltenham detectives, the District Attorney finds insufficient, credible, and admissible evidence exists upon which any charge against Mr. Cosby could be sustained beyond a reasonable doubt.'
In emails years later, Castor said that he made the deal with Cosby to get Constand a settlement.
In one, which is included in the Supreme Court decision, he says: 'The attached is the written determination that we would not prosecute Cosby. That was what the lawyers for [Constand] wanted and I agreed.
'The reason I agreed and the plaintiff’s lawyers wanted it in writing is so that Cosby could not take the 5th Amendment to avoid being deposed or testifying. A sound strategy to employ.'
The Supreme Court ruled that the prosecutor - far from trying to let Cosby off the hook - performed a legal 'bait and switch' and lulled him into making incriminating statements.
'The moment that Cosby was charged criminally, he was harmed: all that he had forfeited earlier, and the consequences of that forfeiture in the civil case, were for naught. This was, as the CDO itself characterizes it, an unconstitutional 'coercive bait-and-switch'.
Cosby was convicted in 2018 and sentenced to three-to-ten years in prison.
But the justices ruled on Wednesday that Steele was obligated to stand by his predecessor Bruce Castor's promise not to charge Cosby, though there was no evidence that agreement was ever put in writing.
The court called Cosby's subsequent arrest 'an affront to fundamental fairness, particularly when it results in a criminal prosecution that was forgone for more than a decade.' It said justice and 'fair play and decency' require that the district attorney's office stand by the decision of the previous DA.
The justices said that overturning the conviction and barring any further prosecution 'is the only remedy that comports with society's reasonable expectations of its elected prosecutors and our criminal justice system.'
In a statement, Constand and her lawyers called the ruling disappointing, and they, like many other advocates, expressed fear that it could discourage sexual assault victims from coming forward. 'We urge all victims to have their voices heard,' they added.
