Bill Cosby’s lawyers have formally appealed his conviction for drugging and sexually attacking a former friend at his home near Philadelphia 15 years ago, citing what they called ‘errors in legal procedure’.
According to CNN, Bill Cosby appealed the conviction, arguing that it was flawed because the testimony of five accusers was “strikingly dissimilar” to that of Andrea Constand, the victim in the case. They argued further that Cosby’s 2004 assault on Constand and the incidents with the other women, which happened decades ago, are too far apart and “remote and unduly excessive”.
According to the lawyers’ 348-page appeal, Cosby, 81, was wrongly convicted on the basis of “flawed, erroneous, and prejudicial rulings” by the trial judge, NAN reports.
Bill Cosby had previously been accused of sexual assault by several women. In September of last year, trial judge, Steven O’Neill termed Cosby a “sexually violent predator” under state law, requiring that Cosby register as a sex offender for life. But Cosby had insisted that all sexual activities between him and the accusers were ‘consensual’. He was found guilty on three counts of aggravated indecent assault and sentenced to 3-10 years in prison.
Cosby’s lawyers have argued that his conviction, which was hinged on testimony from six other women who had accused Cosby of sexual misconduct ‘all occurred approximately 15 or more years before the charged crime.’ citing that the Commonwealth had previously agreed he would never be prosecuted for the allegations in the deposition.
“This filing is an important step in ensuring that Mr. Cosby receives a hearing from a fair and impartial court, the constitution guarantees that right to Mr. Cosby — and to all Americans.” Cosby’s spokesman Andrew Wyatt said.
Commenting on the appeal, Cosby’s wife, Camille said “America will be great when it fulfills the last four words of the revered Pledge of Allegiance… ‘and justice for all.'”
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