Bill Cosby’s guilty verdict was met with a collective exhale on Thursday as the once-revered comedian’s long fall from grace culminated in a conviction on three counts of aggravated indecent assault.
“Finally some justice for Bill Cosby’s victims. May they find a little #peace today,” director Elizabeth Banks tweeted, using the hashtag “#GUILTY” after the verdict came down.
“In a fitting end to Sexual Assault Awareness month, Bill Cosby was found guilty today,” wrote “Top Chef” host Padma Lakshmi. “Thinking of all the women he traumatized over the past 50 years. As a survivor myself, I know that pain never fully goes away. But I hope that his victims finally feel some semblance of peace.”
Cosby was found guilty by a Pennsylvania jury on Thursday. He was accused by former Temple University employee Andrea Constand of molesting her in 2004 at his home outside of Philadelphia.
The trial was Cosby’s second on charges stemming from Constand’s accusations. The previous trial ended in a mistrial last July, when the jury failed to reach a verdict after five days of deliberations. It follows years of accusations of assault against Cosby, culminating in an bold New Yorker cover story featuring the faces and stories of 35 of his accusers.
“What’s next?My defamation case on behalf of Janice Dickinson against Bill Cosby, which we’ve been fighting and WINNING for 3+ years, goes on,” wrote celebrity lawyer Lisa Bloom, who represents Dickinson, one of the other accusers who testified against Cosby in his re-trial last week. “Mr. Cosby, I’m looking forward to taking your deposition.”
ACCOUNTABILITY.
This is the only way things will change. https://t.co/BzCBX0Zdh7
— Terry Crews (@terrycrews) April 26, 2018
Finally some justice for Bill Cosby’s victims. May they find a little #peace today. #GUILTY
— Elizabeth Banks (@ElizabethBanks) April 26, 2018
https://twitter.com/SethMacFarlane/status/989591333860884480
Wishing Bill Cosby a long life!
— (((Joshua Malina))) (@JoshMalina) April 26, 2018
YES!!!! Bill Cosby Convicted of Sexual Assault by Jury https://t.co/HagOF4aEAW
— Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) April 26, 2018
In our culture women are speaking out more & more, but the Cosby trial reminds us that male advocacy is still vital. @hannibalburess spoke truth to the disgrace of Cosby’s behavior & that perspective mattered.
— Ana Gasteyer (@AnaGasteyer) April 26, 2018
So many years have been packed into this week. No more please, brain hurts.
— chrissy teigen (@chrissyteigen) April 26, 2018
With Bill Cosby’s guilty verdict I hope these women find some peace and that all those who have not been able to find justice in other instances with other men have hope that they too will be heard. Zero tolerance of sexual harassment. #TimesUp https://t.co/5MHTsbp2Bz
— Susan Sarandon (@SusanSarandon) April 26, 2018
Just because you're rich and powerful doesn't mean another person’s body is automatically available for sex. Consent must be given.#BillCosby
— Jessica Chastain (@jes_chastain) April 26, 2018
I wonder how long it’s going to take Trump to announce he’s going to pardon Bill Cosby.
— Chelsea Handler (@chelseahandler) April 26, 2018
JUSTICE! FINALLY! #TimesUp https://t.co/WbOUWvgW2V
— Debra Messing✍? (@DebraMessing) April 26, 2018
The state of America is this- Even with dozens of accusers we were all afraid Bill Cosby would walk.
— Patricia Arquette (@PattyArquette) April 26, 2018
Whelp there goes my “Cosby Show” reboot.
— Danny Zuker (@DannyZuker) April 26, 2018
In a fitting end to Sexual Assault Awareness month, Bill Cosby was found guilty today. Thinking of all the women he traumatized over the past 50 years. As a survivor myself, I know that pain never fully goes away. But I hope that his victims finally feel some semblance of peace.
— Padma Lakshmi (@PadmaLakshmi) April 26, 2018
“Filth and flargin’!" https://t.co/UOdSQoMNWZ
— Stephen Falk (@stephenfalk) April 26, 2018
Yesterday Golden State Killer was arrested. Today Bill Cosby is found guilty. Tomorrow Gene Simmons will drown or get electrocuted.
— Paul Rust (@paulrust) April 26, 2018
I wonder how long it’s going to take Trump to announce he’s going to pardon Bill Cosby.
— Chelsea Handler (@chelseahandler) April 26, 2018
What's next?
My defamation case on behalf of Janice Dickinson against Bill Cosby, which we've been fighting and WINNING for 3+ years, goes on.
Mr. Cosby, I'm looking forward to taking your deposition.— Lisa Bloom (@LisaBloom) April 26, 2018