BILL COSBY was freed from prison and returned home on Wednesday, less than two hours after Pennsylvania's highest court overturned his sexual assault conviction, saying he never should have faced charges after striking a non-prosecution deal with a previous district attorney more than 15 years ago.
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court issued its split decision after Cosby had served more than two years of a three- to 10-year sentence following his 2018 conviction.
Cosby, 83, was released from a state prison in Shippack, Pennsylvania, just before 2:30 p.m. (1830 GMT), a corrections department spokesperson said.
Around an hour later, he arrived at his stately stone mansion in Elkins Park, a Philadelphia suburb. Wearing a short-sleeved shirt, he climbed out of a white SUV and flashed a peace sign before walking into the house with the assistance of another man.
The comedian and actor is best known for his role as the lovable husband and father in the 1980s television comedy series "The Cosby Show," earning him the nickname "America's Dad."
But his family-friendly reputation was shattered after dozens of women accused him of sexual assault over a period of decades. His conviction was widely seen as a watershed moment in the #MeToo movement that brought forth an array of allegations against powerful men in Hollywood and beyond.
Cosby was found guilty of drugging and molesting Andrea Constand, an employee at his alma mater Temple University, in his home in 2004. Constand's allegations were the only ones against Cosby that were not too old to allow for criminal charges.
The court's decision expressly barred prosecutors from retrying Cosby.
Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele, who filed the charges against Cosby in 2015, issued a statement noting that a jury found Cosby guilty and that Wednesday's decision was not based on the facts of the case.
"My hope is that this decision will not dampen the reporting of sexual assaults by victims," he said. "We still believe that no one is above the law - including those who are rich, famous and powerful."
Reaction was swift, with many women involved in the #MeToo movement expressing horror at the decision.
"THIS is why women do not come forward," writer E. Jean Carroll, who has accused former President Donald Trump of raping her in the 1990s, wrote on Twitter. Trump has denied her claim.
Lisa Bloom, a lawyer who represented some of Cosby's accusers, told CNN she was "absolutely disgusted and shocked" by the decision.
But Phylicia Rashad, Cosby's co-star on "The Cosby Show," celebrated the ruling for correcting "a miscarriage of justice."
Cosby's spokesperson did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
'ONLY ONE REMEDY'
The court's majority found that a state prosecutor, Bruce Castor, made a deal with Cosby's attorneys in 2005 not to bring criminal charges.
As a result, Cosby was unable to avoid testifying as part of a civil lawsuit that Constand brought against him, since defendants can only refuse to testify when faced with criminal prosecution.
In a sworn deposition, Cosby acknowledged giving women sedatives to facilitate sexual encounters, though he maintained they were consensual.
His admission, which a judge later unsealed in 2015, helped form the basis for criminal charges later that year, when Steele, who had just been elected district attorney, charged Cosby days before the statute of limitations was set to expire.
The prosecution, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court found, essentially amounted to reneging on Castor's earlier promise not to charge Cosby, violating his due process rights.
"There is only one remedy that can completely restore Cosby to the status quo ante," Justice David Wecht wrote for a four-judge majority. "He must be discharged, and any future prosecution on these particular charges must be barred."
One dissenting justice said Cosby should stay in prison, while two others said prosecutors should be allowed to retry him without relying on the tainted evidence.
Castor made national headlines in February as a member of former President Donald Trump's legal defense team during Trump's impeachment trial in the U.S. Senate. The former prosecutor delivered a rambling opening statement that drew sharp criticism from several senators, including Republican supporters of Trump.
Cosby's first trial ended with a hung jury in 2017, when jurors could not reach a unanimous decision on his culpability. But he was found guilty at a second trial, after the judge, Steven O'Neill, allowed prosecutors to call five prior accusers - four more than in the first trial.
Armed with those witnesses, prosecutors argued that Cosby's assault of Constand was a well-rehearsed offense he had honed over decades: he befriended younger women, acting as a mentor, only to sexually assault them, often with the help of drugs.
Reuters
Wed Jun 30 2021
![Bill Cosby home from prison after court overturns sexual assault conviction Bill Cosby home from prison after court overturns sexual assault conviction](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2016-02/81454462760_BillCosby.jpg)
The comedian and actor is best known for his role as the lovable husband and father in the 1980s television comedy series "The Cosby Show.". - File photo
![Polis kesan remaja lelaki hilang sejak enam hari lepas Polis kesan remaja lelaki hilang sejak enam hari lepas](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/61721115027_MuhammadAdiLagik.jpg)
Polis kesan remaja lelaki hilang sejak enam hari lepas
Polis sedang berusaha mengesan seorang remaja lelaki yang dilaporkan hilang oleh keluarganya di Kuala Pilah sejak enam hari lepas.
[TERKINI] Sidang media khas FAM
FAM adakan satu sidang media khas petang nanti, difahamkan berkaitan rombakan. Kepimpinan tertinggi FAM atau barisan kejurulatihan skuad Harimau Malaya?
![Penampilan pertama Trump di konvensyen GOP selepas terselamat cubaan bunuh Penampilan pertama Trump di konvensyen GOP selepas terselamat cubaan bunuh](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/71721113188_DonaldTrump.jpg)
Penampilan pertama Trump di konvensyen GOP selepas terselamat cubaan bunuh
Donald Trump menghadiri Konvensyen Kebangsaan Republikan pada malam Isnin, penampilan umum pertamanya sejak terselamat daripada cubaan bunuh.
![Malaysia pantau perkembangan insiden tembakan di Masjid Muscat Malaysia pantau perkembangan insiden tembakan di Masjid Muscat](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-05/71715148599_wismaputra.jpg)
Malaysia pantau perkembangan insiden tembakan di Masjid Muscat
Wisma Putra melalui Kedutaan Besar Malaysia di Muscat, Oman sedang giat menyelaras usaha dengan pihak berkuasa tempatan untuk mendapatkan maklumat lanjut.
![Ini antara pencapaian Pan-gon bersama Harimau Malaya Ini antara pencapaian Pan-gon bersama Harimau Malaya](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/51721112073_PangonHarimauMal.jpg)
Ini antara pencapaian Pan-gon bersama Harimau Malaya
Kim Pan-gon memiliki rekod yang cukup baik bersama Malaysia, menjadi pengendali Harimau Malaya paling banyak mendapatkan keputusan yang positif sejak beberapa tahun kebelakangan ini.
![Kementerian Komunikasi umum Pakej Rahmah Prabayar Siswa Kementerian Komunikasi umum Pakej Rahmah Prabayar Siswa](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/51721112865_FahmiFadzil.jpg)
Kementerian Komunikasi umum Pakej Rahmah Prabayar Siswa
Kementerian Komunikasi hari ini mengumumkan Pakej Rahmah Prabayar Siswa pada harga tidak melebihi RM30.
![Messi harap cepat pulih daripada kecederaan Messi harap cepat pulih daripada kecederaan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/51719647184_LionelMessi.jpg)
Messi harap cepat pulih daripada kecederaan
Kapten Argentina, Lionel Messi berharap agar beliau cepat pulih daripada kecederaan buku lali yang dialaminya perlawanan akhir Copa America.
![MARA diminta terus teroka potensi industri halal global - Ahmad Zahid MARA diminta terus teroka potensi industri halal global - Ahmad Zahid](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/71721105894_AhmadZahidHamidi.jpg)
MARA diminta terus teroka potensi industri halal global - Ahmad Zahid
MARA diminta untuk terus meneroka potensi antarabangsa dalam industri halal yang mempunyai prospek besar menerusi program Gate to Global (GTG).
Saya akan rindu bau durian - Kim Pan-gon
Menurut Kim Pan-gon, beliau akan tetap bangga dengan pasukan bola sepak Malaysia walaupun dimana beliau berada.
Katanya beliau akan merindui bau durian dan langit Malaysia. #AWANInews
Katanya beliau akan merindui bau durian dan langit Malaysia. #AWANInews
Kim Pan-gon letak jawatan berikutan komitmen peribadi
Pengurus pasukan kebangsaan Malaysia, Kim Pan-gon menyatakan perletakan jawatan tersebut kerana komitmen peribadi.
#AWANInews
#AWANInews
![Bill Cosby sekali lagi disaman dakwaan terbaharu serangan seksual Bill Cosby sekali lagi disaman dakwaan terbaharu serangan seksual](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-11/41638239675_TBBILLCOSBYCONVICTE.jpg)
Bill Cosby sekali lagi disaman dakwaan terbaharu serangan seksual
Valentino memfailkan kes itu di Mahkamah Tinggi Daerah Los Angeles pada Jumaat mengikut undang-undang baharu.
![Pendakwa raya gesa Mahkamah Tinggi kembalikan sabitan serangan seksual Bill Cosby Pendakwa raya gesa Mahkamah Tinggi kembalikan sabitan serangan seksual Bill Cosby](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-11/41638239675_TBBILLCOSBYCONVICTE.jpg)
Pendakwa raya gesa Mahkamah Tinggi kembalikan sabitan serangan seksual Bill Cosby
Cosby menghadapi bertubi-tubi dakwaan serangan seksual yang kemudian memusnahkan imejnya sebagai "American Dad"
![Bill Cosby bebas selepas mahkamah batal sabitan cabul Bill Cosby bebas selepas mahkamah batal sabitan cabul](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2020-10/51603246358_COSBY.jpg)
Bill Cosby bebas selepas mahkamah batal sabitan cabul
Cosby sebelum ini dipenjara 10 tahun atas kesalahan mencabul bekas pemain bola keranjang Andrea Constand.
![Pelawak Bill Cosby dipenjara 3 hingga 10 tahun Pelawak Bill Cosby dipenjara 3 hingga 10 tahun](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2018-09/61537912698_BillCosby.jpg)
Pelawak Bill Cosby dipenjara 3 hingga 10 tahun
Mahkamah daerah Montgomery menolak permohonan ikat jamin Cosby sekali gus menyaksikan beliau bermalam di penjara sementara menanti proses rayuan oleh pihak pembelaan.
![Serangan seksual: Bill Cosby, Roman Polanski disingkir akademi seni Serangan seksual: Bill Cosby, Roman Polanski disingkir akademi seni](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2018-05/51525407661_billcosbyromanpolan.jpg)
Serangan seksual: Bill Cosby, Roman Polanski disingkir akademi seni
Bekas lagenda komedi Bill Cosby dan pengarah filem Roman Polanski dibuang dari Akademi Sains dan Seni Perfileman kerana tuduhan melakukan serangan seksual.
![Cosby bersalah serangan seksual puluhan mangsa Cosby bersalah serangan seksual puluhan mangsa](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2018-04/41524781605_TBBILLCOSBYCONVICTE.jpg)
Cosby bersalah serangan seksual puluhan mangsa
Juri yang bersidang lebih 14 jam untuk dua hari, mendapati Bill Cosby bersalah kesemua tiga tuduhan serangan seksual.
![Aktivis separuh bogel ancam Bill Cosby Aktivis separuh bogel ancam Bill Cosby](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2018-04/81523335742_BillCosby.jpg)
Aktivis separuh bogel ancam Bill Cosby
Seorang aktivis wanita mencetuskan kekecohan di luar mahkamah semalam, apabila cuba menyerang pelawak terkenal Bill Cosby.
![Fakta anda perlu tahu tentang bekas ikon komedi Bill Cosby Fakta anda perlu tahu tentang bekas ikon komedi Bill Cosby](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2016-01/51451785898_BillCosby.jpg)
Fakta anda perlu tahu tentang bekas ikon komedi Bill Cosby
Bill Cosby merupakan nama besar dalam dunia penyiaran dan pernah diangkat sebagai ikon komedi satu ketika dahulu.
![Cosby akan dibicara atas tuduhan seksual - Hakim Cosby akan dibicara atas tuduhan seksual - Hakim](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2016-02/81454462760_BillCosby.jpg)
Cosby akan dibicara atas tuduhan seksual - Hakim
Seorang hakim di Pennsylvania pada Rabu memutuskan bahawa legenda televisyen, Bill Cosby sepatutnya dibicarakan atas tuduhan serangan seksual ke atas seorang wanita di kediamannya di Philadelphia.
![35 wanita dakwa dirogol Bill Cosby tampil di muka depan majalah 'New York' 35 wanita dakwa dirogol Bill Cosby tampil di muka depan majalah 'New York'](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2015-07/41437991721_NewYorkMagazine.jpg)
35 wanita dakwa dirogol Bill Cosby tampil di muka depan majalah 'New York'
Muka hadapan majalah berkenaan turut menampilkan kerusi ke-36 untuk mewakili mangsa seterusnya untuk bersuara.