After 30 hours of deliberation in Bill Cosby's sexual assault trial, the jury announced
late Thursday morning that they
were deadlocked. The judge in the case told them to keep
deliberating.
The sequestered jury has been deliberating since getting the case Monday, pausing a half-
dozen times to revisit key evidence, including Cosby's decade-old admissions that he
fondled Constand after giving her pills.
The 79-year-old star arrived at the courthouse Thursday morning for the start of yet
another day of jury talks. The panel has given no indication that it's deadlocked.
Judge Steven O'Neill has seemed vexed at times as the court staff struggled to answer
the jury's requests. One batch of requested testimony hadn't even been transcribed yet.
But when jurors asked to stop for the day Wednesday night, O'Neill was effusive with
praise — encouraging their diligence as they weigh charges that could put the 79-year-old
Cosby in prison for the rest of his life.
"This is an incredible jury that has just acted with incredible dignity and fidelity," O'Neill
said. "I don't have any higher praise. You have taken your task so seriously."
Cosby is charged with three counts of aggravated indecent assault. Each carries a
maximum 10-year prison term, though the counts could be merged at sentencing if he is
convicted.
The case has already helped demolish his nice-guy reputation as America's Dad.
Cosby has wavered between stoic and smiling as he awaits his fate, but gave a brief
thumbs-up as jurors listened to a court reporter reread his January 2005 police
interview.
In it, he claimed Constand showed no ill effects from the 1 1/2 Benadryl pills he gave
her to help her relax, and that she never objected to his behavior during the 2004
encounter at his suburban Philadelphia home.
Constand testified last week that she was paralyzed by the pills and unable to fight
Cosby off. Her mother, Gianna Constand, pulled a cloth from her pocket to wipe away
tears Wednesday as she listened to the testimony.
Cosby's lawyers maintain Constand was a willing s3xual partner.
Some jurors closed their eyes and tilted their heads down as they listened to the police
interview. One slunk down in his seat, looking angry.
No comments:
Post a Comment