The question “What Did Bill Cosby Do?” has been at the forefront of public discourse for years, amidst serious allegations and a complex legal battle. This article delves into the specifics of the accusations against Bill Cosby and the subsequent Supreme Court ruling that overturned his conviction.
Bill Cosby, once celebrated as “America’s Dad,” faced accusations of sexual assault from numerous women, with allegations spanning decades. The central case that led to a criminal trial involved Andrea Constand, a former Temple University employee. Constand alleged that Cosby drugged and sexually assaulted her at his home in 2004.
In 2005, Bruce Castor, then the Montgomery County District Attorney, investigated Constand’s allegations but declined to prosecute Cosby. Castor issued a press release at the time, which later became a point of contention. He maintained that he made a binding promise that Cosby would never be charged in this case. Constand and her lawyers stated they were unaware of any such promise.
Years later, in 2015, a new District Attorney, Kevin Steele, reopened the case. Cosby was subsequently charged and convicted of aggravated indecent assault in 2018. However, this conviction was overturned by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in 2021.
The Supreme Court’s majority opinion centered on whether Castor’s 2005 decision constituted a binding promise that prevented future prosecution. The court concluded that it did. Justice Wecht, in the majority opinion, stated that Mr. Cosby “must be discharged, and any future prosecution on these particular charges must be barred.” The court essentially agreed with Mr. Castor’s interpretation of his actions in 2005.
This ruling does not mean the Supreme Court found Bill Cosby innocent of the allegations made by Ms. Constand. Instead, the decision was based on legal procedure and the court’s view that a promise made by a prosecutor should be honored, even if unwritten. Justice Wecht acknowledged the severity and rarity of barring prosecution but emphasized the paramount importance of upholding constitutional rights.
Therefore, while the Supreme Court ruling freed Bill Cosby from serving his sentence and prevents further prosecution in the Andrea Constand case, it is crucial to understand that it was not a judgment on the validity of the accusations themselves. The legal outcome was determined by the interpretation of a prior prosecutorial decision, not a determination of guilt or innocence regarding the alleged assault.
