UPDATE: Cosby has been sentenced to three to 10 years in Pennsylvania state prison and a fine of $25,000 for drugging and sexually assaulting a woman in 2004.
JUST IN: Bill Cosby sentenced to 3 to 10 years for drugging, raping Andrea Constand https://t.co/hIuyQCFgbQ https://t.co/qeuuUwLbVG
— Fox News (@FoxNews) September 25, 2018
UPDATE: Judge O'Neill has ruled that Cosby will be registered as a violent sex offender.
RT @APEastRegion BREAKING: Judge in Bill Cosby sentencing rules that the comedian is a "sexually violent predator." https://t.co/tL8sFyiCqf
— The Associated Press (@AP) September 25, 2018
ORIGINAL POST
Disgraced actor Bill Cosby, 81, will be sentenced this week. He faces up to 30 years in prison from Montgomery County Judge Steven T. O’Neill after being convicted of sexual assault in April. The judge could, however, give him a sentence as light as home probation.
Cosby was found guilty on three counts of felony aggravated indecent assault for drugging and molesting Andrea Constand, 45, at his Philadelphia home in 2004. More than 60 women have come forward to accuse him of sexual assault. His defense team will likely argue that their client's age and failing health should result in a lighter sentence. Cosby is legally blind and uses a cane.
A medical examiner, however, has previously said that Cosby has violent tendencies and should be designated a "violent sexual predator." When the prosecution brought the label up at Monday's hearing, witnesses in the room noted that Cosby was visibly upset.
Bill Cosby clearly wasn’t pleased when a prosecution expert testified that he has a “personality disorder” and is a sexually violent “predator” likely to re-offend. Tapped cane against defense table. Clenched his jaw.
— Manuel Roig-Franzia (@RoigFranzia) September 24, 2018
O'Neill, however, reportedly concluded that the label was constitutional.
#COSBYSENTENCING: Judge rules sexually violent predator designation is constitutional. Now a hearing on whether Bill Cosby is SVP. Prosecution expert points in part of nature of relationship with victim, built trust before drugging and assaulting her. @KYWNewsradio
— Jim Melwert (@JMelwert) September 24, 2018
Cosby and his wife, Camille, have complained about the judge and accused him of bias. Mrs. Cosby asked the panel to investigate O'Niell. She hired former prosecutor Brian W. Perry to help her "facilitate her efforts to uncover the truth.”
Cosby's hearing is expected to last two days.