Bill Cosby Trial: Jury Deliberating For 3rd Day

NORRISTOWN, PA — The Bill Cosby trial continued into its eighth day on Wednesday morning, which was also the third day of deliberations for a jury that is struggling to decide whether or not to convict the former comedian of drugging and assaulting a woman in his Cheltenham home in 2004.

The longer the jury's deliberations continue, the more speculation abounds into what it is they are debating: are they close to finding him guilty, and double-checking the evidence? Or are they close to finding him innocent, and double-checking the evidence?

Cosby, 79, is charged with three counts of aggravated indecent assault of Andrea Constand, 44, a former Temple University employee and acquaintance.

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 four different occasions.

At one point, jurors wanted a specification on the semantics of the charges pressed against Cosby: "what does 'without her knowledge' mean?" they asked. Judge Steven T. O'Neill said that he couldn't provide any further clarification and that the charges spoke for themselves.

Since Monday night, when deliberations began, tensions have been high outside the Montgomery County Courthouse. Some expected a verdict to be issued on Monday night, as jurors worked through dinner and up until around 9:45 p.m. But they were back at it early Tuesday, working for another 13 hours and through meals before heading home again around 9 p.m.

It's not clear how long deliberations will last. According to Carl Hessler of the Times Herald, this is already one of the longest jury deliberations in recent memory. The last jury that deliberated even close to this long in Montgomery County was during the trial for Elizabeth Anna Floyd, the 25-year-old East Norriton woman accused of killing her 96-year-old neighbor.

While anything could happen Wednesday, and a verdict could be returned at any moment, some at the courthouse seem to be preparing for a long day.

The charges carry a penalty of ten years in prison.

Catch up on last week at the Cosby trial with our summary and key takeaways here.

Image via Montgomery County District Attorney's Office