Reaction to the sexual assault trial of Bill Cosby ending in a mistrial came fast and furious on Saturday, as figures connected to the case as well as observers weighed in on the inconclusive result of the two-week criminal proceedings.
“We can never overestimate the blinding power of celebrity,” attorney Gloria Allred said in a statement outside the courthouse in Norristown, Penn., where Cosby was being tried. “But justice will come.”
Allred represents several Cosby accusers who are pursuing civil cases against the 79-year-old star on similar charges of sexual assault.
Allred’s daughter, attorney Lisa Bloom, also chimed in:
To sexual assault survivors today after #BillCosby mistrial: win or lose, the fight is what matters. Rise up. Speak out. Defeat #RapeCulture
— Lisa Bloom (@LisaBloom) June 17, 2017
“Bill Cosby has already been exposed as a predator who hid behind his jovial mask for more than 50 years and no jury verdict will ever change that,” Cindra Ladd, one one of the more than 60 women who have accused Cosby of sexual assault, said in her own statement.
“Those of us who came forward to speak our collective truth about what he did to us owe a debt of gratitude to Andrea Constand for her leadership and courage in demanding justice,” she added, referring to the former Temple University employee whose testimony about a 2004 sexual encounter with Cosby was the basis for the criminal trial. “Despite the disappointing outcome of this case, I take comfort knowing that Bill Cosby’s life is now, and forever will be, a living hell.”
Another Cosby accuser,Jewel Allison, also spoke out on Saturday:
"It's time for rape and violence to stop so the healing can start," says Cosby accuser Jewel Allison https://t.co/mjycSOfNJu
— CNN (@CNN) June 17, 2017
And while Cosby was a beloved figure in Hollywood for decades, many in the entertainment and media communities — including Lena Dunham, George Takei and Kumail Nanjiani — expressed disappointment in the mistrial, showing support to his dozens of accusers.
Bill Cosby's trial is about much more than Bill Cosby. When women see justice served, their own fear & trauma are eased. When they don't…
— Lena Dunham (@lenadunham) June 17, 2017
Survivors of sexual assault have to watch every day as the legal system calls them liars and denies their truth. It is an unimaginable grind
— Lena Dunham (@lenadunham) June 17, 2017
My heart is with every survivor reliving the erasure of their own experience today. I see you. I love you.
— Lena Dunham (@lenadunham) June 17, 2017
https://twitter.com/kumailn/status/876101498412740609
Communities are losing faith in the justice system. People are losing faith in elected leaders. Injustice and corruption are destroying us.
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) June 17, 2017
https://twitter.com/andylassner/status/876090768976261120
A mistrial for Cosby is only surprising if you haven't existed on this planet until now. The judicial system actively roots against women.
— anne t donahue (@annetdonahue) June 17, 2017
https://twitter.com/Schwindter/status/876091310544965633
https://twitter.com/ShaunKing/status/876096384994340867
Philando Castile didn't get justice. Cosby's victims didn't get justice either. #Whitesupremacy #Patriarchy
— Brittney Cooper (@ProfessorCrunk) June 17, 2017
Why is anyone surprised about Bill Cosby? If we elected a sexual predator president because he's a celebrity why would we send one to jail?
— Michael Blackman (@MikeRBlackman) June 17, 2017
https://twitter.com/SarahLerner/status/876098698337374208
"Power"
Sexual assault and rape are about power, not sexual desire.
Women have said it for decades. Now Cosby's rep confirms it. https://t.co/Jh3xq3I5M1
— Leah McElrath ?️? (@leahmcelrath) June 17, 2017
Cosby mistrial is incredibly disheartening. Double-digits of women all saying he drugged and assaulted them. Clear modus operandi. BUT
— Rachel Sklar (she/her) (@rachelsklar) June 17, 2017
However, Cosby’s corner wasn’t barren of supporters, some of whom shared the statement released by the comedian’s wife, Camille Cosby:
Ur witnessing African American EXCELLENCE today! Congrats to COSBY'S team on the WIN! ???✔️
— Joel Ratliff Sr. (@djnoname1) June 17, 2017
Statement From Mrs. Camille Cosby pic.twitter.com/nfBF92BpN1
— Bill Cosby (@BillCosby) June 17, 2017
This Bill Cosby trial was a racially motivated money grab since it started.And the media keep pointing to "Black accusers" to hide this fact
— Tariq Nasheed ?? (@tariqnasheed) June 17, 2017