September 25, 2018
3 p.m.
Common Pleas Judge O'Neill denied offering Bill Cosby bail pending his appeal of the case and his sentence. Cosby was led out of the courtroom in handcuffs.
Outside the Montgomery County Courthouse, a group of his accusers gathered to make a statement.
"This has been a long journey to justice for all of the accusers, for Andrea Constand, for her family," said women's rights attorney Gloria Allred, who represented 33 of Cosby's accusers. "Given the gravity of the offense and other factors, this was his sentence. We're glad the judge today has finally come for Mr. Cosby. Mr. Cosby has shown no remorse and there has been no justice for many of his accusers."
The Montgomery County District Attorney is expected to hold a press conference later this afternoon, followed by more statements from his accusers.
After Cosby was taken away in handcuffs, his representatives also gave statements in front of the courthouse in Norristown, making wild claims, including that Cosby had been prevented from getting a fair trial and that the Montgomery County D.A. used falsified evidence in the form of an altered recording made in 2005 without Cosby's consent.
"We will prove that the D.A. of Montgomery county used falsified evidence against Dr. Cosby," Cosby's spokesperson said.
His team also claimed the trial was "the most racist trial in the history of the United States," calling it an example of "racism and sexism."2:14 p.m.
Bill Cosby was sentenced to three to 10 years in state prison for sexually assaulting Andrea Constand in his home in 2004, the Associated Press reported.
Montgomery County Common Pleas Judge Steven O'Neill denied Cosby's attorney's request that he be offered bail pending Cosby's appeal of the sentence.
11:44 a.m.
Judge O'Neill has ruled Bill Cosby is a "sexually violent predator." Cosby will need to attend mandatory lifetime counseling and he must be registered in the Pennsylvania sex offender database, which will automatically alert any community where he lives of his presence there.
Bill Cosby arrived just after 8:30 a.m. to the Montgomery County Courthouse, where he faces the second day of his sentencing hearing.
Today's hearing will likely end with Judge O'Neill sentencing the comedian after he was found guilty in April of drugging and molesting former Temple University employee Andrea Constand.
On Monday, O'Neill heard testimony from psychologists to determine whether or not Cosby, 81, is a "sexually violent predator" and could reoffend, given the chance. State psychologist Kristen Dudley said that Cosby fits the criteria, showing signs of a mental disorder that involves an uncontrollable urge to have nonconsensual sex with young women, the Associated Press reported from Norristown. That decision will also be announced on Tuesday.
The decision to mark Cosby as a predator is paramount to the Philadelphia comedian's life after Tuesday's hearing; if he is, he'll need to attend lifetime counseling and communities will be notified of his whereabouts.
Constand spoke for the first time during Monday's hearing – for just two minutes.
“The jury heard me. Mr. Cosby heard me. Now all I am asking for is justice as the court sees fit,” said Andrea Constand, per the AP. Constand also submitted a victim-impact statement that wasn’t read in court.
Cosby will have the chance to speak during Tuesday's hearing, although it's not likely. His lawyers are expected to appeal the conviction.
Cosby faces up to 10 years in prison, and as little as probation only. Prosecutors have asked that he be sentenced to the maximum.
This is an ongoing story. Check back for updates.
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