Bill Cosby arrives at court to face a felony charge of aggravated indecent assault Wednesday, Dec. 30th, 2015 (AP)
This afternoon Bill Cosby appeared at the Montgomery County Courthouse, where he was arraigned for indecent assault. Assistant DA Kevin Steele explained in a press conference this morning that the charge is brought when "a person commits some type of vaginal penetration, and the person does so without consent," in many cases because "the person was unconscious or unaware" or "substantially impaired." He added, "We know pills were provided, we know there was wine that was provided."
While over 50 women have accused Cosby of sexual assault, this charge is in regards to the alleged 2004 sexual assault of Andrea Constand. However, attorney Gloria Allred, who represents 29 alleged victims of Cosby, just held a press conference in Los Angeles "to react to the charges filed against Mr. Cosby," a release stated. We'll have more at LAist when the conference has concluded, but we hear Allred has said she will likely make her clients available in this case. (UPDATE: Here's more from Allred's press conference.)
Constand's lawyer, Dolores Troiani, stated today: "We wish to express our appreciation to the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office, the County Detectives and the Cheltenham Police Department for the consideration and courtesy they have shown Andrea during this difficult time."
Cosby's hearing concluded just before 3 p.m., only lasting about 10 minutes. Press on hand noted that he was "dazed and fragile." The 78-year-old was read his charges, granted bail at $1 million, and was instructed to hand his passport over. Right now he's on his way to the station to get fingerprinted and have his mug shot taken [UPDATE: Here's Cosby's mug shot]. More on that as it becomes available, but for now here's another look at Cosby as he entered the courthouse:
Bill Cosby arrives at court to face a felony charge of aggravated indecent assault Wednesday, Dec. 30th, 2015 (AP)
There is a 12 year statute of limitations in Pennsylvania, which allowed until January 1st, 2016 for charges to be brought against Cosby in the Constand case. "Reopening the case was not a question, reopening this case was our duty as law enforcement officers," Steele told the press this morning.
Here's the court docket from today:
