By Abby Ohlheiser, Paul Farhi and Niraj Chokshi December 30
Bill Cosby charged with sexually assaulting Pennsylvania woman in 2004
For the first time,
Bill Cosby will face criminal charges in connection with an accusation of sexual assault, Montgomery County prosecutors in Pennsylvania announced on Wednesday.
Prosecutors charged Cosby with aggravated indecent assault, a felony, First Assistant District Attorney Kevin Steele said in a morning press conference. The single charge stems from an alleged sexual assault in early 2004.
“Today, after examination of all the evidence, we are able to seek justice on behalf of the victim,” Steele said. The charges were filed thanks to new information uncovered in July, Steele said,
noting that the incident remains within the 12-year statute of limitations.The felony charge came at the conclusion of a second investigation into allegations that the comedian drugged and assaulted former Temple University employee Andrea Constand in 2004. Constand first accused Cosby of assaulting her a year after the alleged assault. At the time, prosecutors declined to press charges.
On the evening in question, Mr. Cosby urged her to take pills that he provided her and to drink wine, the effect of which rendered her unable to move,” Steele said to reporters, later saying the pills rendered the victim “frozen,” and “paralyzed.” That was when
Cosby allegedly committed aggravated indecent assault, the first degree felony for which he was charged on Wednesday.https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2015/12/30/ap-report-bill-cosby-charged-in-sexual-assault-case/
