Bill Cosby to face criminal sex assault trial

WASHINGTON, USA – US television legend Bill Cosby goes on trial next month in Pennsylvania to face the only criminal charges against him amid a flurry of sexual assault allegations, most of them decades old. (READ: Bill Cosby’s wife testifies in pre-trial deposition)

The May 24 preliminary hearing was announced Tuesday, April 26 a day after the Pennsylvania Superior Court rejected Cosby’s appeal to dismiss the case. (READ: Bill Cosby, battling rape accusations, tweets thanks to fans)

The 78-year-old megastar-turned-pariah is expected to appear at the hearing.

Cosby posted $1 million bail in December without entering a plea in the case brought against him by Andrea Constand, a former employee of Temple University’s basketball team in Philadelphia who says the entertainer forced himself on her at his suburban Philadelphia home in 2004.

If found guilty, Cosby could face up to 10 years in prison and a $25,000 fine.

Cosby also suffered another setback Tuesday, when he lost his bid to force New York magazine’s publisher to release unedited interviews, reporters’ notes and other materials used for a cover story last July about 35 women who said he sexually assaulted them. (READ: Thirty-five of Bill Cosby’s alleged victims speak out)

US District Judge Paul Gardephe ruled against Cosby in that case. Cosby’s lawyers did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

More than 50 women have publicly alleged sexual abuse at the hands of the once beloved comedian, who attained his greatest fame for his role as a lovable obstetrician and family man in the hit 1980s sitcom The Cosby Show.

The allegations span 4 decades, but the vast majority cannot be prosecuted because they have expired under statutes of limitations.

Blue pills

According to the complaint, Cosby urged Constand – 37 years his junior – to take pills and drink wine during a visit to his home, leaving her unable to resist his advances.

“When Cosby returned from upstairs, he had three blue pills in his hand,” Constand’s complaint reads.

“Cosby urged her to take the pills, saying to her, ‘these will make you feel good. The blue things will take the edge off.'”

“The victim asked if the pills were herbal and Cosby replied, ‘Yes. Down them. Put ’em down. Put them in your mouth.'”

About 20-30 minutes after ingesting the pills, water and wine, Constand “began experiencing blurred vision and difficulty speaking… she lost all strength in her legs… she felt ‘nauseous.’ She could not keep her eyes open, was not aware of any sounds, had no sense of time and was ‘in and out.'”

The complaint then described the sexual assault, and Constand waking up in the middle of the night and Cosby opening the front door and saying “alright” to lead her out. Constand’s complaint said she did not say anything to Cosby after awakening from the assault.

Cosby has admitted giving Constand a pill but said all relations with her were consensual and accused her of lying about the alleged assault.

His attorneys deny any wrongdoing by the actor. – Olivia Hampton, APF/Rappler.com