Rumor has it, Bill gave them something to drink, and they just had to lie down.

But seriously...


Bill Cosby’s Rape Trial Defense Quits After Six Minutes

The defense’s closing argument focused on Andrea Constand’s inconsistencies, while the prosecution used Cosby’s own words against him. The final word now goes to the jury.

6/12/17

After one week of testimony from the prosecution, it was time for the jury to hear the defense’s case in the sexual assault trial of Bill Cosby.

It lasted six minutes.

After promising a bombshell last week, the defense didn’t have much to add in their argument, calling only one witness to the stand before resting its case on Monday. Following testimony from Andrea Constand, the complainant in the criminal case, Constand’s mother, police officers, and another alleged victim, the question became whether or not Cosby himself would be called as a witness by the defense.

Cosby arrived at the Montgomery County courthouse assisted by a cane and accompanied by his wife, Camille. It was the first time she had joined him in the courthouse. While there was doubt from the very beginning that Cosby would testify, the defense wouldn’t confirm or deny that the defendant would speak up on the stand.

Before the jury entered the courtroom, Judge Steven T. O'Neill asked Cosby to identify himself with the raise of a hand. The judge then asked whether Cosby would testify, to which the defense explained that their client would not speak. It was ultimately Cosby’s decision to not speak under oath.

In as series of one word, “Yes” answers, Cosby told the judge that while he was advised to not testify during the trial, it was his ultimately his decision to remain silent following extensive council from his legal team.

The short back-and-forth between judge and defendant has been the only time the courtroom has heard Cosby’s voice during the trial, which began last Monday.

While Cosby not being called up to testify was not too much of a surprise, what followed was. The defense explained that they would only call one witness to the stand: Detective Richard Schaffer, who appeared as a somewhat combative witness for the prosecution last week. No other character witnesses would be called to the stand to testify for the defense.

Defense attorney Brian McMonagle asked Schaffer a few questions regarding statements the detective had taken from Constand, including one focusing on how sharp Cosby’s vision was at the time the initial complaint was filed in 2005.

Following the detective's’ testimony, the defense — much to the surprise of some in the courtroom — rested its case, called no further witnesses.

 

I know diddly squat about Bill Cosby, I gather a very successful comedian and actor but this case like so many of it's ilk so often seem to be about getting money from the famous. Now I am not saying that he didn't do whatever he was charged with but these cases always seem dicey. Michael Jackson was another who paid millions to some family to settle the matter out of court but surely had child abuse taken place the state would have pushed the prosecution ahead..Not sure what my point is, I'm tired and it's been a long day but these celebrity cases always make me uncomfortable for a whole raft of reasons..

 

Isn't the prosecution's case entirely hearsay?

If there is no evidence to rebut, the defense rightly has nothing to say. The defense does not have to prove Cosby's innocence.

who knows how it will go... what I don't know is whether Cosby himself ever made a voluntary confession. If he did, that's the only evidence against him. Is it enough to convict? Depends on whether there are extenuating circumstances.

 

He did admit administering drugs ,
in a police interview some years ago ,
but I haven't really followed it.

Just to relax them ,
of course.

An extraordinary capitulation by the defense really.
Did they believe they've convinced the jury he's innocent ?
or could they not afford to have him on the stand to be crucified

 

@BiSexMansBud: You've never seen Fat Albert? The Cosby show? He's been a comedian and actor for 40 years. I disagree regarding Michael Jackson. He paid the kids family to shut them up. I'm hoping that Cosby is innocent and the women are just looking for easy money. I'd hate to see him locked up, but if he did do it, then he is done.

 

Bill Cosby's problem is that both versions of this story are true.

Back in the 60's and 70's, Quaaludes were easy to obtain and they became the sex drug of choice, second only to alcohol. This worked two ways.

Women took them in order to relax their inhibitions and enjoy sex. The man was expected to supply them. Most women knew what they were and what to expect.

The other way, the man supplied the Quaaludes, but the woman either didn't know what they were, or didn't know they were in her drink. Roman Polanski gave a Quaalude to his young date, something which haunts him to this day.

Times have changed and today, Cosby is on trial for something that wasn't really a thing when it happened. The only plausible defense for this kind of thing is, "I never met this woman, I don't know who she is, and it never happened." It's too late for that one. He'll just have to wait and see what the jury thinks.

 

I imagine his legacy being tarnished by the scandal and being reminded of his indiscretions by his wife each day is punishment enough. But what the hell, throw him in prison and deny him jello for dessert...

 

One or two or seven accuse him...he may be innocent. But he has 48 women accusing him of the same crime.

He's the knucklehead.

 

48 women say one thing. One man says different. I will go with the crowd.
Hang him.

 

I think Bron has this right. It was less of a concern back in the day when it was more common and attitudes were not what they are today.
That being said it concerns me that these women waited so long to come forward. Forty years is just ridiculous.
He is probably guilty, it remains to be seen if he will be convicted and if that will really be justice served after all of this time.
There will probably be some money grubbing involved as well.
I basically have a mixed opinion on this one.

 

Lots of women claim Trump GROPED them !! But of course they are all LIARS !!

 

hellow

 

Never cared for him. 10 to 1 hes guilty.

 

Day 3 of jury deliberations. Hope they come up with a verdict soon.

 

We already know he is guilty. Just don't know how many blacks are in the jury.

 

Happy now?

 

Hung jury at the best. There will never be a guilty verdict as long as there is one black person on the jury.
Remember O.J.

 

Old joke:
The Trash Collectors Union 101 is having an election. There are 100 guys in Local 101, 2 Czechs and 98 Slovakians. A Czech and a Slovokian are running for President of the Local and the vote comes out, 98 for the Czech and 2 for the Slovakian. After the vote count, the winner turns to his opponent and says, "You Slovaks always stick together, don't you."

 

That's definitely true. Many celebrities-- and for that matter, many people-- are sex addicts.

Of all colors AND genders. I remember reading an interview with a famous Ford Agency Supermodel ( want to say Stephanie Seymour, but I'm not sure), wherein she said that she had sex at least five days a week with anonymous one-time partners arranged by her managers. (I'm assuming they were hooking her up with male escorts.)

The thing with celebrities is they have huge amounts of disposable cash to burn, and many of them are so powerful that they don't even have to buy the sex outright. They get the pick of the litter at parties.

None of this excuses them. It is profligate and degenerate behavior. That said, I don't think sex should automatically rise to the level of "rape" years after the fact, just because it was meaningless at the time.