In a somewhat surprising turn of events, a Pennsylvania judge has decided that Bill Cosby will stand trial in criminal court for a 2004 sexual assault. This comes after a rough 2015 in which he was accused of varying degrees of sexual assault by over 50 different women.
The specific 2004 sexual assault which Cosby will stand trial for is notable because the alleged victim Andrea Constand was the first to make a public accusation against the beloved comedian. Many others quickly followed. The case was originally settled in 2006, but was reopened following new evidence that appeared in an unsealed deposition from 2005. Cosby has been out on $1 million bond after being charged with three felonies and arraigned in December of last year.
Bill Cosby will face up to 10 years in prison if convicted. He’s scheduled to appear in court again on July 20, although an official trial date has not been set. His attorney has continued to deny all charges and dismiss the alleged victim’s accusations, saying, “There was no evidence of a crime here… This case should end immediately.”
[via CNN]