Bill Cosby arrived at a Pennsylvania court Monday morning for the start of his sexual assault trial with his “Cosby Show” daughter Keshia Knight Pulliam by his side.
According to ABC News, Cosby walked arm-in-arm with his legal team and Pulliam, who played Rudy Huxtable on the hit show.
The criminal sexual assault trial is finally beginning after months of preliminary hearings and jury selections and more than a decade since the alleged assault took place. More than 60 women have come forward to accuse Cosby of sexual assault since the allegation re-entered the spotlight in 2014, thanks to a viral stand-up bit by comedian Hannibal Buress. The case was first opened in 2005, but soon dropped due to insufficient evidence. Monday’s trial marks the first time Cosby faces criminal charges for any of the alleged assaults.
The trial centers on Andrea Constand, who says Cosby drugged and sexually assaulted her at his mansion in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania. She claims Cosby gave her wine and three pills, causing her to pass out, and then he “sexually violated” her. Cosby denies the allegations but is charged with three felony counts of aggravated indecent assault.
According to an interview the comedian gave last month to SiriusXM host Michael Smerconish, Cosby will not testify in his own defense at the trial. Judges Thomas DelRicci and Steven O’Neill decided in May to ban communication from all electronic devices in the courtroom during the trial. The decision means the trial will not be televised and journalists will be barred from live-tweeting the proceedings.
Prosecutors had planned to call 13 other women to the stand to testify against Cosby on charges that he drugged and raped them, but a judge ruled in February that only one other accuser besides Constand would be allowed to testify.
According to the New York Times, the woman is only being identified as “Prior Alleged Victim Six.” The woman previously appeared at a press conference, alongside her lawyer Gloria Allred, where she was identified by the name “Kacey.” An assistant to Cosby’s former agent, the woman said Cosby gave her a “large white pill” that caused her to pass out. She said she later woke up in bed next to Cosby, who was naked.
Cosby is on trial for three counts of aggravated indecent sexual assault, a second-degree felony. According to CNN, each count carries a maximum sentence of 10 years, but the judge could decide to allow him to serve the sentences concurrently, meaning Cosby would serve a total of 10 years if convicted on all charges.
Read the 7 things you need to know about the Cosby trial here.