Cosby jury deadlocked

NORRISTOWN, Pa. — Jurors in Bill Cosby’s sexual assault trial said Thursday they are deadlocked on charges he drugged and molested a woman in 2004, but a judge ordered them to keep trying to reach a unanimous decision in a case that has already helped obliterate the TV star’s career and nice-guy reputation.

The panel deliberated about 30 hours over four days before telling Judge Steven O’Neill they “cannot come to a unanimous consensus on any of the counts” against Cosby, 79, who is charged with three counts of aggravated indecent assault.

The judge sent them back to the jury room to keep talking and denied a defence motion for a mistrial. Hours later, the jury was still at it.

The sequestered jurors have appeared increasingly tired and upset after deliberating late into the night the past three days. Some jurors looked defeated as the judge ordered them to continue deliberating. One, more upbeat, nodded along.

The case involves Cosby’s sexual encounter with Andrea Constand, 44, at his suburban Philadelphia home. Constand says Cosby gave her pills that made her woozy, then violated her. His lawyer says Cosby and Constand were lovers sharing a consensual moment of intimacy.

Cosby’s spokesman said the impasse showed jurors doubted Constand’s story.

“They’re conflicted about the inconsistencies in Ms. Constand’s testimony," spokesman Andrew Wyatt said. “And they're hearing Mr. C.’s testimony and he’s extremely truthful. And that’s created this doubt.”