The Bill Cosby Saga Continues: 2017 In Review

Former comedian Bill Cosby's legal troubles came to a head in 2017 as he stood trial for aggravated indecent assault. After a lengthy jury deliberation during his June trial, the jury announced that they were deadlocked and that they could not declare a verdict. As a result, a mistrial was declared. Shortly thereafter, a new trial date was set for November. However, Cosby's legal team disintegrated over the ensuing months amidst rumors that Cosby's attorneys were at odds with statements made by his spokesperson. Cosby garnered new legal representation and the retrial was delayed into 2018.

From June 15: "Bill Cosby Jury Deadlocked"

NORRISTOWN, PA — The jury in the Bill Cosby sexual assault trial is reportedly deadlocked and has been sent back by the judge to deliberate. The jury will resume Friday for its fifth day of deliberations to determine if Cosby is guilty of three counts of aggravated indecent assault.

Anticipation has built throughout the week at the Montgomery County Courthouse as hordes of journalists and other onlookers anxiously wait for a verdict.

The defense rested its case on Monday afternoon after calling just one witness to the stand: the Cheltenham detective who led the investigation into Cosby in 2004. The prosecution had pursued its case against Cosby for five days last week, resting on Friday afternoon. Cosby himself did not testify, but the jury did play testimony from a 2005 civil suit in which Cosby said he gave Andrea Constand something with her wine before making sexual advances, NBC10 reports.

Much of the jury's deliberations seemed to be focused on Cosby's words, especially his testimony from the 2005 civil suit filed by Constand which resulted in Cosby paying her an undisclosed sum. Jurors asked the court for clarification and context on several different occasions.

During its deliberations Monday, the jury reportedly asked the court for context regarding one of Cosby's more infamous quotes from his 2005 testimony. The jury had further clarification questions regarding that testimony on Tuesday as well.

The alleged incidents occurred in 2004 and were briefly investigated in 2005, but the investigation was dropped due to a lack of evidence by then-Montgomery County District Attorney Bruce Castor.

Although more than 40 women have accused Cosby of some kind of sexual assault, Constand's case was the first to be brought this far along in the justice system. Most of his other accusers allege incidents that occurred in decades past, long enough ago that the statute of limitations has passed, meaning they cannot prosecute.

The charges carry a penalty of ten years in prison.

More follow up related to the case:

• Ex-Montco DA Bruce Castor Is Suing Bill Cosby's Accuser
• Bill Cosby Case Ends In Mistrial
• Bill Cosby Trial: Jurors Were Crying, Deeply Upset By Stalemate, Reports State
• Date Set For Bill Cosby's Retrial
• Bill Cosby Hires Michael Jackson's Former Lawyer

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