A United States jury has found comedian and television icon Bill Cosby liable for drugging and sexually assaulting a woman in 1972, awarding her $59.25 million in damages. After a nearly two-week trial in Santa Monica, California, jurors on Monday determined that the 88-year-old Cosby committed sexual battery and assault against Donna Motsinger, who was a server at a restaurant in Sausalito at the time of the incident.
In her lawsuit filed in 2023, Motsinger alleged that Cosby invited her to his comedy show in San Carlos, where he gave her wine and two pills she believed were aspirin. She stated she lost consciousness and later woke up at home undressed, realizing she had been drugged and raped. Cosby's lawyers contested the claims, arguing they were based on speculation and noting Motsinger's admission that she had no clear memory of events. Cosby did not testify during the trial, but witnesses included Andrea Constand, whose prior criminal conviction against Cosby in Pennsylvania was overturned by the state's Supreme Court in 2021.
This case echoes allegations from over 60 women who have accused Cosby of sexual misconduct, all of which he has denied. The jury awarded Motsinger $17.5 million for past damages and $1.75 million for future suffering, including mental anguish and emotional distress. In a subsequent phase, an additional $40 million was imposed in punitive damages, marking one of the largest financial penalties Cosby has faced in such lawsuits. His attorney, Jennifer Bonjean, expressed disappointment and announced plans to appeal the verdict.
Motsinger responded to the outcome by emphasizing its broader significance, stating it was about holding Cosby accountable and providing strength to other survivors. The trial highlights ongoing legal battles for Cosby, who was previously convicted in a criminal case linked to the #MeToo movement but later released on appeal. The verdict underscores persistent societal issues around sexual assault and accountability in the entertainment industry.
Source: www.aljazeera.com